ABSTRACT
The term relapse is an inexact one. In fact, little agreement as to its definition exists within the asthma literature (1-3). McNamara defined relapse as return to ED within 7 days after discharge (1) whereas Chapman defined it as return to the emergency department (ED) within 3 weeks of the index visit (2,4). McFadden regards relapse as symptomatic episodes of asthma that occur within 2 days of an ED visit (3).
