Expanded Disability Status Scale

The Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is a method of quantifying disability in multiple sclerosis.[1] The scale has been developed by John F. Kurtzke.

The EDSS quantifies disability in eight Functional Systems (FS) and allows neurologists to assign a Functional System Score (FSS) in each of these.

First public EDSS calculator (http://edss.neurol.ru) is developed, which allows to standardisation of neurostatus scoring.

Functional systems

Kurtzke defines functional systems as follows:[1]

Results and clinical meaning

EDSS steps 1.0 to 4.5 refer to people with MS who are fully ambulatory. EDSS steps 5.0 to 9.5 are defined by the impairment to ambulation.

The clinical meaning of each possible result is the following:

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Kurtzke JF (1983). "Rating neurologic impairment in multiple sclerosis: an expanded disability status scale (EDSS)". Neurology 33 (11): 1444–52. doi:10.1212/WNL.33.11.1444. PMID 6685237.