🚶 Karnofsky Performance Status
Grade functional status on the 0–100 Karnofsky Performance Status scale.
Clinical takeaway
Higher scores indicate better function.
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When to use
Prognostication and treatment decisions in oncology and palliative care.
How it works
100 normal … 50 needs considerable assistance … 0 dead, in steps of 10.
Key points
- Higher scores indicate better function.
- Often mapped to ECOG status.
- Used in eligibility and prognostic models.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Karnofsky score | 100 — Normal, no complaints |
|---|
→Karnofsky100/100
- Interpretation：Able to carry on normal activity.
| Karnofsky score | 0 — Dead |
|---|
→Karnofsky0/100
- Interpretation：Unable to care for self; institutional/hospital care often needed.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Karnofsky Performance Status?
- Grade functional status on the 0–100 Karnofsky Performance Status scale.
- How is Karnofsky Performance Status calculated? What is the core formula?
- 100 normal … 50 needs considerable assistance … 0 dead, in steps of 10.
- When is Karnofsky Performance Status used?
- Prognostication and treatment decisions in oncology and palliative care.
- What are the key clinical points for Karnofsky Performance Status?
- Higher scores indicate better function. Often mapped to ECOG status. Used in eligibility and prognostic models.
- What are the limits and cautions when using Karnofsky Performance Status?
- For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
- How is Karnofsky Performance Status calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: Karnofsky score 100 — Normal, no complaints → Result: Karnofsky 100 /100（Interpretation: Able to carry on normal activity.） Inputs: Karnofsky score 0 — Dead → Result: Karnofsky 0 /100（Interpretation: Unable to care for self; institutional/hospital care often needed.）