10/16/2018 Karnofsky Performance Status Scale: Karnofsky Performance Status Scale

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Karnofsky Performance Status

Scale
Updated: Dec 09, 2014
Author: Buck Christensen; Chief Editor: Buck Christensen more...

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)

Value
Condition level of Functional Capacity
(%)

No complaints; no evidence of
100%
disease

Able to carry on normal activity;

Able to carry on normal activity and to work; no
90% minor signs or symptoms of
special care needed
disease

Normal activity with effort; some

80%
signs or symptoms of disease

Unable to work; able to live at home and care for Cares for self; unable to carry on
most personal needs; varying amount of assistance 70% normal activity or to do active
needed work

60% Requires occasional assistance

https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2172510-overview 1/2
10/16/2018 Karnofsky Performance Status Scale: Karnofsky Performance Status Scale

but is able to care for most

personal needs

Requires considerable assistance

50%
and frequent medical care

Disabled; requires special care

40%
and assistance

Severely disabled; hospital

30% admission indicated although
death not imminent

Unable to care for self; requires equivalent of

institutional or hospital care; diseases may be Very sick; hospital admission
progressing rapidly 20% necessary; active supportive
treatment necessary

Moribund; fatal processes

10%
progressing rapidly

0% Dead

https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2172510-overview 2/2