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TIA Hospitalization Increases Long-Term Mortality

Risk increases with age

In patients older than 65, prior hospitalization for transient ischemic attack (TIA) significantly reduces life expectancy, according to a study published recently on the Stroke website.

While much research has focused on TIA and its relation to stroke, little data existed on the relationship between prior TIA and survival. The authors of the current study thus analyzed 22,157 patients hospitalized for TIA at their Sydney, Australia institution between July 1, 2000 and June 30, 2007. Follow-up ranged from two to nine years.

TIA diagnosis and subsequent hospitalization was associated with almost a 10 percent death rate after one year and a greater than 30 percent death rate after five years. That is, TIA reduced survival by four percent in the first year and by 20 percent within nine years. Women were significantly less likely to experience excess death as a result of TIA hospitalization than men. However, this effect only lasted for one year after hospitalization. Age had perhaps the largest impact. Patients between 50 and 64 years and 65 and 74 years had a 1.82 and 4.74 times greater risk of excess death than those younger than 50, respectively. And patients aged 75 to 84 years and older than 85 were at 7.77 and 11.02 times greater risk for death. Stroke history was also detrimental: it raised death risk 2.63 times, as compared to patients with no prior cerebrovascular admissions. More research is needed, but the authors conclude that “the greatest benefits of secondary [TIA] prevention may be realized in the elderly.”

Source: Gattellari M, Goumas C, Garden F, et al. 2011. Relative survival after transient ischemic attack: results from the A Program of Research Informing Stroke Management (PRISM) Study. Published on November 10, 2011 on the Stroke website.