This is the Karnofsky Rating Scale. It is not specific to CFS although it may be marginally useful. This scale was developed in the 1940s by David Karnofsky and Joseph Burchenal as an attempt to measure the more 'subjective' side of the outcome of cancer treatment.
- 100
- Normal, no complaints, no evidence of disease.
Able to carry on normal activity and to work. No special care is needed. - 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
- Care for self. Unable to carry on normal activity or to do active work.
Unable to work. Able to live at home, care for most personal needs. A varying degree of assistance is needed. - 60
- Requires occasional assistance, but is able to care for most of his (one's) needs.
- 50
- Disease may be progressing rapidly. Requires considerable assistance and frequent medical care.
- 40
- Disabled, requires special care and assistance.
Unable to care for self. Requires equivalent of institutional or hospital care. - 30
- Severely disabled, hospitalization is indicated although death not imminent.
- 20
- Hospitalization necessary, very sick, active supportive treatment necessary.
- 10
- Moribund, fatal processes progressing rapidly.
- 0
- Dead.
This test was originally published here:
Karnofsky, DA & Burchenal, JH. The Clinical Evaluation of Chemotherapeutic Agents In Cancer. pg. 196. In: MacLeod CM (Ed.). Evaluation of Chemotherapeutic Agents. Columbia Univ. Press, 1949.
No permission is necessary to use or reproduce the scale.
