Ischemic strokes are caused by temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain, and include transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), commonly known as mini-strokes, as well as minor and major strokes. TIAs and minor strokes do not usually have significant long-term effects in and of themselves, but they are important as warning signs of the potential risk of a more significant stroke.
In carrying out research, TIAs are often considered alongside minor strokes, or as a distinct category. However, there has not been significant research to date focusing on minor stroke as a distinct category, particularly with regard to the potential for recurrence in the short term. Developing a better understanding of minor stroke could help improve patient care as well as advance medical knowledge. In a recently completed study, Dr. Andy Lim and colleagues focused on answering the question of whether isolating data relevant to minor stroke could provide useful information about the potential for recurrence.
This meta-analysis involved assessing individual patient data from 45,462 participants in 14 included research studies. The findings indicate that the pooled 90‐day stroke recurrence rate for minor stroke as a distinct category is 8.6%. Furthermore, this rate appears to be declining by 0.60% per year—a trend which seems consistent with those associated with improving outcomes associated with contemporary management of minor stroke and TIA assessed together, as well as for TIA outcomes assessed alone.
Establishing a better understanding of the baseline recurrence rate of minor ischemic stroke can help with comparing new treatments, developing new clinical pathways, and identifying improved methods for managing care. Using the Vivli platform gave the research team access to data from Ticagrelor versus Aspirin in Acute Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (SOCRATES) trial data, which Dr. Lim described as “an important piece of our meta-analysis puzzle. Without it, we would not be able to complete the picture.”
Read more about Dr. Lim’s research:
Meta-analysis of early stroke recurrence rate in minor stroke (Vivli Research Request 6866)
Ninety‐Day Stroke Recurrence in Minor Stroke: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Trials and Observational Studies (Journal of the American Heart Association)
Interested in finding out more about how access to Vivli’s data repository can help advance your research? Find out more about how to search and request data.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder, which primarily affects the joints and is characterized by inflammation and pain. RA most commonly affects the hands and wrists, but can also affect other parts of the body. There is currently no cure for RA, but treatment options have improved considerably in recent years with the development of new therapies and treatment strategies.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) poses a significant challenge due to its chronic nature and impact on joint health. While treatments have evolved, achieving remission remains elusive for many patients. Using a dataset from the Vivli repository, Dr. Ricardo Ferreira and a team of researchers delved into examining the assessment criteria for remission in RA, shedding light on the limitations of current approaches and proposing a new model—the dual target strategy.
In a recent study led by Dr. Sarah Nevitt, a senior research associate at the University of Liverpool, a team of researchers examined the effectiveness of various antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used as monotherapy for people experiencing seizures due to epilepsy. Epilepsy, a common neurological disorder, results from abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, causing recurrent seizures. Typically, around 60% to 70% of individuals with epilepsy achieve longer-term remission, often shortly after beginning treatment with antiepileptic drugs.
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Did you know there’s more on Vivli than just clinical trial data? The majority of our repository of data comes from clinical trial data, but also includes significant numbers of platform trials, observational studies, and real-world evidence resources.
