The Karnofsky Performance Scale Index allows patients to be
classified as to their functional impairment. This can be used to compare
effectiveness of different therapies and to assess the prognosis in individual
patients. The lower the Karnofsky score, the worse the survival for most
serious illnesses. Other similar scales of performance status include the
Zubrod , TNM and AJC-ECOG scales.
|
General Category
Description
|
Specific Criteria
|
Index
|
|
able to carry out normal activities; no special care
required
|
normal; no evidence of disease and no physical complaints
|
100
|
|
|
able to carry on normal activities but has minor signs or
symptoms of disease
|
90
|
|
|
normal activity with effort; some signs or symptoms of
disease
|
80
|
|
unable to work; able to live at home and care for most
personal needs; varying amounts of assistance needed
|
unable to carry on normal activities or to work, but able
to care for self
|
70
|
|
|
requires occasional assistance from others but able to
care for most needs
|
60
|
|
|
requires considerable assistance from others and frequent
medical care
|
50
|
|
unable to care for self; requires institutional or
hospital care or equivalent; disease may be rapidly progressing
|
disabled; requires special care and assistance
|
40
|
|
|
severely disabled; death not imminent; stay in hospital
indicated
|
30
|
|
|
very sick; necessary to be in hospital; active supportive
treatment necessary
|
20
|
|
|
moribund
|
10
|
|
|
dead
|
0
|