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Clinical calculator summary

Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS)

The Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) Scale allows patients to be classified as to their functional impairment.

Evidence-based context for fast calculator use

Purpose:
Karnofsky Performance Status scale (0-100) quantifies functional capacity in oncology patients to guide treatment eligibility and prognosis.
Population:
patients whose general oncology assessment matches the intended use of the selected score
Factors:
Functional Capacity Group, Specific Status, Specific Status, Specific Status
Reference:
Karnofsky DA, Abelmann WH, Craver LF, Burchenal JH. The use of the nitrogen mustards in the palliative treatment of carcinoma. Cancer. 1948;1(4):634-656.
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Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS)

Clinical Context & Background

The Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) Scale allows patients to be classified as to their functional impairment. This can be used to compare effectiveness of different therapies and to assess the prognosis in individual patients. The lower the KPS score, the worse the survival for most serious illnesses.
Primary Source EvidenceKarnofsky DA, Abelmann WH, Craver LF, Burchenal JH. The use of the nitrogen mustards in the palliative treatment of carcinoma. Cancer. 1948;1(4):634-656.
Formula Logic
Scale from 0-100 based on Activity, Self-Care, and Medical Requirements.

Reference Data

ScoreDefinitionECOG Equivalent
100Normal, no complaints0
80 - 90Normal activity with effort1
60 - 70Unable to work, varying assistance2
40 - 50Disabled, requires special care3
10 - 30Severely disabled / Hospitalized4
0Dead5

Clinical Workflow

Use, Interpret, And Continue The Patient Pathway

Expand for workflow guidance, limitations, examples, and related next steps.

When To Use

  • Use Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) when karnofsky Performance Status scale (0-100) quantifies functional capacity in oncology patients to guide treatment eligibility and prognosis.
  • Confirm that the patient, diagnosis, disease phase, and available inputs match the cited model before calculation.

How To Interpret

  • Interpret the displayed result using the calculator-specific formula and reference table, spanning 100 through 0.
  • A boundary result should prompt input verification and clinical review rather than false precision.

What To Do Next

  • Integrate the result with diagnosis, disease burden, organ function, frailty, treatment intent, medicines, and patient goals.
  • Document the inputs, result, timing, and clinical context so the assessment can be reproduced.

Limitations

  • General oncology tools measure one domain and should not become a universal treatment-eligibility rule.
  • The result supports clinician judgment and does not independently determine treatment.

Validated Population

patients whose general oncology assessment matches the intended use of the selected score

How to apply this result

For a representative case, verify Functional Capacity Group, Specific Status, Specific Status, calculate the result, and confirm that its classification matches the highlighted reference band before continuing the disease-specific pathway.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) be used?

Use it for patients whose general oncology assessment matches the intended use of the selected score when all required inputs and the intended clinical setting are confirmed.

Can Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) determine treatment by itself?

No. Interpret the result with the cited evidence, complete clinical assessment, current guidelines, and patient-specific goals.

Evidence-based oncology decision support. Verify with clinical guidelines.