Karnofsky

Karnofsky refers to David A. Karnofsky, an American physician known for his work in oncology, and to the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scale named after him. The term is most often used in medical contexts to describe a standard method for assessing a patient’s functional status and ability to carry out ordinary tasks.

The Karnofsky Performance Status scale is a numeric measure used to quantify cancer patients’ functional impairment and overall well-being. It assigns a score on a 0 to 100 scale in 10-point increments, where higher scores indicate greater independence and capability. In general terms, higher scores reflect better functioning and a greater ability to tolerate treatment, while lower scores indicate increasing disability and dependence on others for care. The scale is commonly used to inform prognosis, guide treatment decisions, and determine eligibility for clinical trials.

History and usage: The KPS was developed in the late 1940s by David A. Karnofsky and J. Burchenal and quickly became a widely adopted tool in oncology and palliative care. It is used by clinicians to monitor changes in a patient’s condition, to communicate about functional status, and to stratify patients in research studies. The scale remains a foundational instrument in many cancer centers and trial protocols, though it is often complemented by other assessments.

Limitations and related scales: The KPS relies on subjective judgment and can vary between observers. To address variability, some institutions use standardized training or combine KPS with other measures such as the ECOG performance status, which provides an alternative 0–5 scale for functional status.