Table 2.
The Kurtzke’s Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)
| Score | Description |
|---|---|
| 0 | Normal neurological examination of all FS* |
| 1.0 | No disability but minimal signs in one FS |
| 1.5 | No disability but minimal signs in more than one FSs |
| 2.0 | Minimal disability in one FS |
| 2.5 | Minimal disability in two FSs |
| 3.0 | Fully ambulatory but moderate disability in one FS or minimal disability in three or four FSs |
| 3.5 | Fully ambulatory but moderate disability in one FS and minimal disability in one or two FS; or fully ambulatory with moderate disability in two FSs; or fully ambulatory with minimal disability in five FSs |
| 4.0 | Ambulatory without aid or rest for ≥ 500 m; self-sufficient, up and about some 12 h a day despite relatively severe disability in one FS or combination of lesser disability levels exceeding limits of previous steps |
| 4.5 | Ambulatory without aid or rest for ≥ 300 m; up and about some 12 h a day despite relatively severe disability in one FS and combination of lesser disability levels in other FSs exceeding limits of previous steps |
| 5.0 | Ambulatory without aid or rest for ≥ 200 m |
| 5.5 | Ambulatory without aid or rest for ≥ 100 m |
| 6.0 | Ambulatory with unilateral assistance ≥ 100 m with or without rest |
| 6.5 | Ambulatory with bilateral assistance ≥ 20 m without rest |
| 7.0 | Only able to ambulate ≤ 5 m with aid, essentially restricted to wheelchair; though wheels self in standard wheelchair and transfers alone; up and about in wheelchair some ss a day |
| 7.5 | Unable to take more than a few steps; restricted to wheelchair and may need aid in transferring and wheeling self |
| 8.0 | Essentially restricted to bed or chair or pushed in wheelchair, but out of bed most of day; retains many self-care functions; generally, has effective use of arms |
| 8.5 | Essentially restricted to bed much of day; has some effective use of arm(s) and retains some self-care functions |
| 9.0 | Helpless and confined to bed; can still communicate and eat |
| 9.5 | Totally helpless and confined to bed and totally dependent; unable to communicate effectively or eat/swallow |
| 10 | Death due to MS |
*Assessment of EDSS is consist of the examination of eight functional systems (FSs)