The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)

Kurtzke JF. Rating neurological impairment in multiple sclerosis: an expanded disability status scale. Neurology 1983; 33: 1444-1452

Download the "EDSS scale" document (PDF format)
Score Criteria
0 Normal neurological exam (all grades 0 in Functional Systems [FS]; cerebral grade 1 acceptable).
1.0 No disability, minimal signs in one FS (ie, grade 1, excluding cerebral grade 1).
1.5 No disability, minimal signs in more than one FS (more than one grade 1 excluding cerebral grade 1).
2.0 Minimal disability in one FS (one FS grade 2, others 0 or 1).
2.5 Minimal disability in two FS (two FS grade 2, others 0 or 1).
3.0 Moderate disability in one FS (one FS grade 3, others 0 or 1) or mild disability in three or four FS (three/four FS grade 2, others 0 or 1) though fully ambulatory.
3.5 Fully ambulatory but with moderate disability in one FS (one grade 3) and one or two FS grade 2; or two FS grade 3; or five FS grade 2 (others 0 or 1).
4.0 Fully ambulatory without aid, self-sufficient, up and about some twelve hours a day despite relatively severe disability consisting of one FS grade 4 (others 0 or 1), or combinations of lesser grades exceeding limits of previous steps. Able to walk without aid or rest for some 500 meters.
4.5 Fully ambulatory without aid, up and about much of the day, able to work a full day, may otherwise have some limitation of full activity or require minimal assistance, characterised by relatively severe disability, usually consisting of one FS grade 4 (others grade 0 or 1), or combinations of lesser grades exceeding limits of previous steps. Able to walk without aid or rest for some 300 meters.
5.0 Ambulatory without aid or rest for some 200 meters; disability severe enough to impair full daily activities (e.g. to work a full day without special provisions). (Usual FS equivalents are one grade 5 alone, others 0 or 1; or combinations of lesser grades usually exceeding specifications for step 4.0).
5.5 Ambulatory without aid or rest for about 100 meters; disability severe enough to preclude full daily activities. (Usual FS equivalents are one grade 5 alone, others 0 or 1; or combinations of lesser grades usually exceeding specifications for step 4.0).
6.0 Intermittent or unilateral constant assistance (cane, crutch, or brace) required to walk about 100 meters with or without resting. (Usual FS equivalents are combinations with more than two FS grade 3+).
6.5 Constant bilateral assistance (cane, crutch, or brace) required to walk about 20 meters without resting. (Usual FS equivalents are combinations with more than two FS grade 3+).
7.0 Unable to walk beyond 5 meters even with aid, essentially restricted to wheelchair; wheels self in standard wheelchair and transfers alone; up and about in wheelchair some 12 hours a day. (Usual FS equivalents are combinations with more than one FS grade 4+; very rarely, pyramidal grade 5 alone).
7.5 Unable to take more than a few steps; restricted to wheelchair; may need aid in transfer; wheels self but cannot carry on in standard wheelchair a full day; may require motorised wheelchair. (Usual FS equivalents are combinations with more than one FS grade 4+).
8.0 Essentially restricted to bed or chair or perambulated in wheelchair; but may be out of bed itself much of the day; retains many self-care functions; generally has effective use of arms. (Usual FS equivalents are combinations, generally grade 4+ in several systems).
8.5 Essentially restricted to bed much of the day; has some effective use of the arm(s); retains some self-care functions. (Usual FS equivalents are combinations, generally grade 4+ in several systems).
9.0 Helpless bed patient; can communicate and eat. (Usual FS equivalents are combinations, mostly grade 4+ in several systems).
9.5 Totally helpless bed patient; unable to communicate effectively or eat/swallow. (Usual FS equivalents are combinations, almost all grade 4+).
10 Death due to MS.