Background and Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the inci
dence 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 was established in Segovia from February 16
, 1992, to February 15, 1994. Every patient underwent a complete clini
cal evaluation and cranial CT scan. Sex- and age-specific incidence ra
tes 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 th
e carotid distribution, 19% were vertebrobasilar, and 3% were consider
ed of uncertain vascular distribution. Cranial CT scan was performed i
n 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<.0
0001). Conclusions Our study is the first community-based register tha
t 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 com
parable to that in other previous similar studies.