SMART
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Standardised stroke risk assessment for patients with MigrAinous symptoms Reviewed as suspected TIA (SMART)
IRAS ID
318870
Contact name
Chris Price
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
This research project involves two parallel studies to develop a tool to assess the risk of stroke for patients presenting with symptoms which could be caused by both Transient Ischaemic Stroke (TIA) and migraine.
TIA is a common event during which people briefly experience stroke symptoms including loss of movement, sensation, speech and vision. There is a risk of permanent stroke during the next 90 days which can be reduced by urgent medical treatment. However, being certain of the diagnosis is challenging because other conditions can produce identical symptoms. The commonest condition which can produce the same symptoms is migraine, and people suffering migraine are not at high risk of stroke. Tests have a limited role in differentiation between TIA and migraine and uncertainty about the correct diagnosis can lead to missed opportunities to prevent stroke if TIA is not recognised, and overtreatment of people with migraine.
Study A in this research project will collect clinical information including symptoms, investigations, treatments and health at 90 days from people who have symptoms which could be caused by both TIA and migraine. This information will be analysed mathematically to understand stroke risk and used to create risk assessment tool options.
Study B involves up to two focus groups or interviews with healthcare professionals who are involved in assessing people with suspected TIA. Views and experiences will be obtained about current practice in TIA services, the potential role for a risk assessment tool, and potential barriers/facilitators for integration into practice. Risk assessment tool options prepared in Study A will be reviewed and a final tool agreed.
The project will run for 3 years and involves 2709 people with symptoms which could be caused by both TIA and migraine, and 16 healthcare professionals. Funding is from NIHR RfPB.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/PR/0977
Date of REC Opinion
11 Sep 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion