title: Incidence of transient ischemic attacks and minor ischemic strokes in Segovia, Spain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) and minor ischemic strokes (MISs) in Segovia, Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 2-year prospective community-based register of TIAs and MISs established in Segovia from February 16, 1992, to February 15, 1994. Every patient underwent underwent a complete clinical evaluation and cranial CT scan. Sex- and age-specific incidence rates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for all ages.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total series included 235 patients; 103 suffered TIAs and 132 suffered MISs. Mean age was 70.8 years (range, 29 to 96 years); 92 were women and 143 were men. The crude annual incidence was 0.80/1000 (95% CI, 0.70 to 0.90): 0.35/1000 (95% CI, 0.28 to 0.42) for TIAs and 0.45/1000 (95% CI, 0.37 to 0.53) for MISs. The incidence of TIAs and MISs increased with age. Approximately 78 of TIAs and MISs were in the carotid distribution, 19% were vertebrobasilar, and 3% were considered of uncertain vascular distribution. Cranial CT scan was performed in all patients. CT showed cerebral infarcts in 30.1% (31/103; 95% CI, 21% to 39%) of TIAs and 70% (92/132; 95% CI, 62% to 78%) of MISs (P<.00001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study is the first community-based register that provides sex-and age-specific rates for MISs and in which a CT scan was obtained in all patients. The incidence of TIAs in Segovia is comparable to that in other previous similar studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Segovia General Hospital, Spain.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Sempere
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cabezas
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Clavería
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology