Karnofsky indexL70.8
Synonym(s)
Performance Status
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
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.
ClassificationThis section has been translated automatically.
- 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
Note(s)This section has been translated automatically.
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.