To describe the natural history of a condition or disease. To describe the natural history of a condition or disease. To determine effectiveness or cost effectiveness of treatments/services and/or health care products. To measure or monitor safety and harm. To measure quality of care.
According to the NMSS, attacks or flare-ups of symptoms only qualify as exacerbations if: 1  they occur at least 30 days from an earlier flare-up. 2  symptoms last for 24 hours or longer.
There is no time frame for exacerbations (relapse, attack, flare-up). The can last from a couple of weeks to months. My severe exacerbations last approximately 6 weeks, mild ones last approximately 3 weeks...with or without steroids.