Karnofsky index L70.8

David A. Karnofsky first described a so-called performance status in 1948, which is known as the Karnowsky Index. In this classification, each patient is assigned a score between 0 (dead) and 100 (normal activity) on a linear scale. This scaling gives a rough indication of abilities, activities of daily life and possible dependencies. The Karnowsky Index has been widely used in haematology oncology to give a numerical indication of a patient's overall condition.

• 100 normal, no symptoms, no signs of disease
• 90 capable of normal activity, few symptoms or signs of illness
• 80 normal activity possible with some effort, some symptoms or signs of illness
• 70 cares for self, normal activity not possible, unable to work
• 60 needs occasional outside help, can take care of most personal affairs by self
• 50 needs frequent assistance, needs frequent medical care
• 40 disabled, needs special care and help
• 30 severely disabled, inpatient treatment required
• 20 very ill, inpatient treatment for supportive or causal therapy urgently needed
• 10 dying, fatal disease progressing rapidly
• 0 dead

In 1960 the Eastern Co-operative Oncology Group (ECOG) introduced a further simplified ECOG Performance Status with only 6 points. This has been called ECOG/WHO Score since 1982.