EDSS SCALE

diagram showing EDSS SCALE FROM 0 TO 10

The EDSS scale evaluates disability. Multiple sclerosis is known to affect people very differently.  Often, despite having the same diagnosis, symptoms can vary quite dramatically from one person to the next .

This is means that each person has their own unique version of the disease.  At the same time, it is well known that different forms of MS progress in different ways . Unfortunately scans and tests for MS do not always tell the full story!

MS is a bumpy road. On awaking each day an MS sufferer has no idea what the day will bring. Will it be a good day or a bad day? Disability can vary in terms of every day functionality. From thinking, seeing, moving to mood, fatigue and mobility, the way that the central nervous system is working affects how MS impacts a person on a daily basis.

As a consequence, Neurologist’s use a variety of tools that help them to create an overview of where you are at in terms of disability.

One of these is:

THE EXPANDED DISABILITY STATUS SCALE OR EDSS SCALE

 

A neurologist called John Kurtzke came up with the scale in 1983 as an advance from his previous 10 step Disability Status Scale (DSS).

The EDSS focuses mainly on your ability to walk. It is a basic measure of other types of multiple sclerosis disability.

The EDSS scale ranges from 0 to 10 in 0.5 unit increments that represent higher levels of disability. Scoring takes place after examination by a neurologist, who decides what it is.

EDSS steps 1.0 to 4.5 refer to people with MS who are able to walk without any aid and is based on measures of impairment in eight functional systems (FS):

  • visual function – problems with sight
  • cerebral functions – problems with thinking and memory
  • cerebellar – ataxia, loss of balance, coordination or tremor
  • brain-stem – problems with speech, swallowing and nystagmus
  • sensory – numbness or loss of sensations
  • pyramidal – muscle weakness or difficulty moving limbs
  • bowel and bladder function
  • cerebral functions – problems with thinking and memory
  • other problems

 

EDSS SCALE – HOW THE SCORE WORKS

A functional system (FS) represents a network of neurons in the brain with responsibility for particular tasks.  The score goes from zero up to ten.

 

  • 0 (no disability)

  • 5 or 6 (less disability)

  • 5 to 9 (accesses walking ability)

  • 10 (death from MS)

 

With the EDSS score, the primary measure of disability relies on walking.  On the other hand,  people with MS have a wide range of disabilities. Therefore,  it has often been criticized as being unfair and inaccurate.

Likewise, although the scale takes account of the disability associated with advanced MS, it is still understood that the majority of people will never reach the higher scores.

In addition, a large study that looked at people with MS at a clinic in Ontario (prior to the development of the expanded version). It found that 51% of people had a DSS score of 5 or lower. 88% had a score of 7 or lower.