About
The Karnofsky Performance Status Scale (KPSS) is a clinical calculator used primarily in patients with cancer. It is a simple, numerical scale that measures a patient's functional status, ability to perform daily activities, and overall quality of life. The KPSS ranges from 0 (indicating death) to 100 (indicating perfect health). The clinical utility of the KPSS is to assess a patient's prognosis, determine appropriate treatment strategies, and monitor changes in a patient's condition over time. It is particularly useful in oncology for determining eligibility for certain treatments, such as chemotherapy or surgery, and for predicting survival outcomes. There are no specific exclusion criteria for the use of the KPSS. However, it is less useful in patients with non-cancer illnesses or in those with cognitive impairment who may not be able to accurately self-report their functional status.