Dawson et al developed a simple score that can help to recognize a patient with a transient ischemic attack (TIA). The authors are from the Western Infirmary Hospital and University of Glasgow.
Patient selection: older adult
Parameters:
(1) history of stroke or TIA
(2) headache
(3) diplopia
(4) loss of consciousness (LOC) or presyncope
(5) seizure
(6) speech abnormality
(7) unilateral limb weakness
(8) upper motor neuron (UMN) facial weakness (unilateral facial weakness)
(9) age in years
|
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
|
history of stroke or TIA |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
0.5 |
|
headache |
no |
0.5 |
|
|
yes |
0 |
|
diplopia |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
1.2 |
|
LOC or presyncope |
no |
1.1 |
|
|
yes |
0 |
|
seizure |
no |
1.6 |
|
|
yes |
0 |
|
speech abnormality |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
1.3 |
|
unilateral limb weakness |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
1.7 |
|
UMN facial weakness |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
0.6 |
|
age in years |
|
(age) * 0.04 |
total score =
= SUM(points for all 9 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: around 1.6 (varies with age)
• maximum score: around 12 (varies with age)
• A score > 5.4 indicates a TIA.
Specialty: Neurology
