Karnofsky Severity Rating

Karnofsky Severity Ratings are ratings by the clinician of the patient's overall functioning level. Karnofsky Severity Ratings are not specific to HIV/AIDS; the ratings are made with a number of chronic diseases. Scores of 0 represent minimal functioning (death) while scores of 100 represent unimpaired functioning.


The Karnofsky Rating Scale is as follows. Two versions of forms for Karnofsky Severity Ratings are available on this web site. 

Karnofsky Rating Scale

100

Normal; 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.

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 of won needs.

50

Requires considerable assistance and frequent medical care.

40

Disabled; requires special care and assistance.

30

Severely disabled; hospitalization indicated although death not imminent.

20

Very sick; hospitalization necessary; active, supportive treatment necessary.

10

Moribund, fatal processes progressing rapidly.

0

Dead.

Also See: Evaluation Module 71 or Evaluation Module 73.

Source Citation - KARNOFSKY PERFORMANCE STATUS SCALE (KPS): Karnofsky, D. A., Abelmann, W. H., Craver, L. F., and Burchenal (1948). The use of nitrogen mustards in the palliative treatment of cancer. Cancer, 1, 634-656.

Percentage of HIV/AIDS Patients in Each Karnofsky Category at Initial Assessment


                    


 


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