Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
performance status
A standardized measure of a patient's functional capacity and ability to carry out daily activities, crucial for treatment decisions.
Full Definition
Performance status is typically assessed using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scale (0-4) or Karnofsky Performance Status (0-100%). These scales evaluate a patient's ability to perform activities of daily living and work, with lower ECOG scores indicating better function. Performance status is a critical factor in determining treatment eligibility, particularly for aggressive therapies like surgery or combination chemotherapy regimens.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify the scale used (ECOG or Karnofsky) for clarity. Lowercase 'status' when following 'performance'.
In Context
- "The patient has ECOG performance status of 1, suitable for combination therapy." — Treatment planning note
- "Declining performance status precluded further aggressive treatment." — Clinical assessment
Also known as
functional status
PS
Don't confuse with
quality of life
disease status