Assessment of the ABCD2 Score in the Evaluation of Transient Ischemic Attack

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a frequent diagnosis in the emergency department. Currently, we have not the accurate approach for follow-up in these patients as outpatients or hospitalized. Recently, efforts have been made to stratify high-risk patients presenting with transient ischemic attack through scoring systems such as the ABCD2 score. The aim of study was assessment of ABCD2 score in Iranian population. Patients hospitalized in neurology department of Rasol Akram hospital, Tehran, Iran, in 2010 and 2011 were enrolled in this study and followed one week later. All the patients had transient ischemic attack without symptoms in brain CT scan within 24 hours of symptom onset. 100 cases participated in this study at two equal groups: ABCD2 ≤ 4 (low-risk) and ABCD2 > 4 (high-risk). The mean ABCD2 score was 4.7 ± 1.1. One week follow-up showed transient ischemic attack in 11 patients (8 in high-risk and 3 in low-risk groups).The increase of transient ischemic attack incidence and diabetes prevalence were significantly different in two groups (high-risk: P = 0.037 and low-risk: P = 0.029). Sensitivity and specificity rate of ABCD2 score were 72.7% and 52.8%, respectively According to the findings, we can say although ABCD2 score is a useful tool in determining the prognosis of patients with transient ischemic attack in the first week following but it has not high sensitivity and specificity and relying on it alonely cannot be a good result.