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Incapacity Scale of Kurtzke

Purpose: To evaluate a patient's degree of general impairment using the Incapacity Scale.

Description

Kurtzke proposed the Incapacity Score to assess disability in a patient with multiple sclerosis, but it can also be applied as a general disability rate score. It was based on scales adapted by Carl Granger. The author is from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.


Parameters:

(1) stair climbing

(2) ambulation (walking)

(3) chair and bed transfer

(4) toilet transfer

(5) bowel function (extreme indicates frequent incontinence, or ostomy and unable to maintain)

(6) bladder function

(7) bathing

(8) dressing

(9) grooming

(10) feeding

(11) vision

(12) speech and hearing (communication)

(13) physical problems (medical, orthopedic)

(14) societal role (ordinary occupation)

(15) fatigability

(16) psychic function (mood and mentation; extreme impairment indicates dementia or psychosis)

 

Performance

Points

normal (no impairment)

0

impaired but can manage without aid; mild impairment

1

impaired, requires mechanical aid; moderate impairment

2

impaired, requires human aid; severe impairment

3

unable to do at all; extreme impairment

4

 

total score =

= SUM(points for all 16 items)

 

Impression:

• minimum score: 0

• maximum score: 64

• The higher the score, the more severe the total impairment.


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Specialty

Objective

ICD-10