Performance status

The Karnofsky performance status ( Karnofsky performance status scale actually ) is a scale that can be assessed with the symptom- related activity limitation, self-sufficiency and self-determination in patients with malignant tumors. It ranges from a maximum of 100 percent ( no restrictions ) to 0 percent ( death). The step is usually carried out in 10 - dot increments. Thus ultimately be operationalized with a certain approach and standardized the abstract and elusive concept of quality of life. Purpose of the index is to assess the prognosis, to define treatment goals and create treatment plans. The evaluation of the initial state of the patient is necessary because of cancer at different stages different objectives filters ( healing, life extension, functional restitution, Palliative care ) and should be treated quite differently. The Karnofsky index was proposed in 1949 by David A. Karnofsky. In addition to this index, the index to the quality of life of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group ( ECOG short ) is used in clinical practice. The table lists the two indexes in comparison. However, a conversion of ECOG to Karnofsky index and vice versa is not secure.

Table

Credentials

• Karnofsky DA, Burchenal JH. The Clinical Evaluation of Chemotherapeutic Agents in Cancer. In: MacLeod CM ( Ed ), Evaluation of Chemotherapeutic Agents. Columbia Univ Press, 1949:196.
• Verger, E., M. Salamero, and C. Conill, Can Karnofsky performance Stastus be Transformed to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scoring scale and vice-versa. . European Journal of Cancer, 1992, 28A (8-9): p. From 1328 to 1330.