KPS

Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) is a standard tool used to measure the ability of a patient with cancer to perform ordinary tasks. The Karnofsky Performance Scale ranges from 100 to 0, where 100 is "perfect" health and 0 is death.

History

The Karnofsky Performance Status was introduced by Dr. David A. Karnofsky and Dr. Joseph H. Burchenal in 1949. It was initially used to evaluate the effect of chemotherapy on patients with cancer.

Scale

The KPS scale ranges from 100 to 0, where 100 means the patient is fully active, able to carry on all pre-disease activities without restriction, and 0 means the patient is dead. The scale is divided into ten increments, each representing a different level of patient activity and medical care requirements.

Use in Clinical Practice

The KPS is widely used in clinical practice and research to assess a patient's functional status. It is often used to determine a patient's eligibility for specific therapies or to measure the progress of disease or the effectiveness of treatment.

Limitations

While the KPS is a useful tool, it has some limitations. It is a subjective measure and can be influenced by the observer's bias. It also does not take into account the patient's psychological status or social support.

See Also

• Performance status
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
• Cancer staging

References

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