Illness perceptions following Transient Ischemic Attack (mini-stroke)

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A qualitative study of the influence of Illness Perceptions Following Transient Ischemic Attack on outcomes

• IRAS ID

  179063

• Contact name

  Clare Cooper

• Contact email

  clare.cooper@abdn.ac.uk

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 2 months, 27 days

• Research summary

  Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is known to affect 13,000 people in Scotland, every year (Stroke Scotland Care Audit, 2014). The symptoms of TIA are very similar to that of stroke. Stroke and TIA symptoms fall onto a continuum such that it is the symptom duration that differentiates between them. Stroke is the greatest cause of disability and third highest cause of mortality in Scotland (Sign, 2008, SSCA, 2014). The transient nature of TIA means that symptoms tend to resolve within 24 hours of onset. TIA is a strong predictor of future stroke with 30% of current stroke patients, having had a TIA in the past (Rothwell et al., 2011). It is imperative to reduce both the individual and economic cost of TIA and reduce the risk of future stroke.
  
  There is an established field of research that early diagnosis and treatment of TIA reduces mortality (SIGN, 2008). However, there are currently several barriers that exist at the level of the health care system, such as delays in diagnostic assessments; and barriers at the individual/ family level, with patients not recognising the symptoms and delaying in seeking medical attention (SSCA, 2014). Furthermore the risk of future stroke can be reduced by up to 87% if individuals carry out specified behaviours designed to improve their health. These secondary prevention behaviours include smoking cessation, exercise, diet management, physical activity and taking medication. However there is evidence that complying with these behaviours is sub-optimal (Kamara & Singh, 2012). Therefore gaining a greater understanding of the factors which influence individual’s adherence to these secondary behaviours following TIA is vital to inform TIA patient care.

• REC name

  West of Scotland REC 3

• REC reference

  15/WS/0107

• Date of REC Opinion

  21 May 2015

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion