Karnofsky Performance Status

Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) is a standard tool used to measure the ability of a patient with cancer to perform ordinary tasks. The KPS scale runs from 100 to 0, where 100 is "perfect" health and 0 is death. It was named after Dr. David A. Karnofsky, who described the scale with his colleague, Dr. Joseph H. Burchenal in 1949.

Overview

The Karnofsky Performance Status scale is used to quantify the general well-being and activities of daily life in patients suffering from cancer. It is a simple, reliable method for assessing the functional status of these patients and is widely used in oncology clinical trials.

Scale

The KPS scale ranges from 100 (indicating a patient who is fully active and able to carry on all pre-disease activities without restriction) to 0 (indicating a patient who is dead). The scale is divided into ten increments, each representing a different level of patient functionality and requirement for care.

Use in Clinical Practice

In clinical practice, the KPS is used to assess a patient's progress over time, to determine the appropriate treatment course, and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. It is also used to predict survival in patients with cancer.

Criticisms

Despite its widespread use, the KPS has been criticized for its subjectivity and lack of sensitivity to changes in a patient's condition. Some researchers have suggested that other scales, such as the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, may provide a more accurate assessment of a patient's functional status.

See Also

• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
• Cancer
• Oncology

References

Karnofsky Performance Status Resources
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