What does the onset refer to in the COLDSPA assessment?

In the context of the COLDSPA assessment framework, the onset refers specifically to the time when a symptom first started or began. Understanding when a condition or symptom began is crucial for assessing its possible causes, progression, and implications for treatment. This piece of information can help healthcare professionals establish a timeline that is important for diagnosis and management, as symptoms that have a sudden onset may have different underlying causes compared to those that develop gradually over time.