Karnofsky Performance Status Scale
The Karnofsky Performance Scale Index is an assessment tool for functional impairment. It can be used to compare effectiveness of different therapies and to assess the prognosis in individual patients. In most serious illnesses, the lower the Karnofsky score, the worse the likelihood of survival.
Table 1. Karnofsky Performance Status Scale [1, 2, 3] (Open Table in a new window)
Condition |
Value (%) |
level of Functional Capacity |
Able to carry on normal activity and to work; no special care needed |
100% |
No complaints; no evidence of disease |
90% |
Able to carry on normal activity; minor signs or symptoms of disease |
|
80% |
Normal activity with effort; some signs or symptoms of disease |
|
Unable to work; able to live at home and care for most personal needs; varying amount of assistance needed |
70% |
Cares for self; unable to carry on normal activity or to do active work |
60% |
Requires occasional assistance but is able to care for most personal needs |
|
50% |
Requires considerable assistance and frequent medical care |
|
Unable to care for self; requires equivalent of institutional or hospital care; diseases may be progressing rapidly |
40% |
Disabled; requires special care and assistance |
30% |
Severely disabled; hospital admission indicated although death not imminent |
|
20% |
Very sick; hospital admission necessary; active supportive treatment necessary |
|
10% |
Moribund; fatal processes progressing rapidly |
|
0% |
Dead |