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10 February 2009 CUHK Introduces New Scoring System to Predict Long-term Risk of The ABCD² score is a simple method, designed by Caucasians, which helps to predict short-term risk (up to 90 days) of stroke after TIA. It is a 7-point score based on five clinical factors (Age, Blood pressure, Clinical features consisting of weakness and speech impairment, Duration of symptoms and Diabetes Mellitus). A score of 6 or above has a 2-fold increased risk of early stroke. A research team led by Professor Lawrence Ka Sing WONG, Mok Hing Yiu Professor of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), has modified the ABCD² score to tailor for the need of Chinese patients. As intracranial stenosis is a common cause of stroke in Chinese patients, CT scan of brain (Lesion in CT brain) and Transcranial Ultrasound (Large artery atherosclerosis from Transcranial Doppler) findings are included to form the new ABCD²L² score. This is a 9-point score, and contains additional radiological evidence of stroke and large artery atherosclerosis. This scoring system has been validated in 481 patients in the Prince of Wales Hospital who were admitted for TIA and minor stroke from January 2004 to December 2005. Compared with the ABCD² score, the ABCD²L² score is more effective in predicting the risk of stroke after TIA. Moreover, it predicts the long-term risk (average follow-up period of 40 months) of stroke and death. A score of 8 or above predicts a 5¡Vfold increased risk of stroke in the long run. In summary, the ABCD²L² score is a scoring system tailored for Chinese patients with TIA. It accurately predicts the long-term risk of stroke and death. In clinical practice, the use of ABCD²L² score facilitates the selection of patients who require emergency assessment and appropriate treatment.
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