Overview
A clinician-rated ordinal scale (0-10) measuring disability in multiple sclerosis based on the neurological examination.
Use cases
Disability progression endpoint in MS disease-modifying therapy trials.
Assessment intelligence
- Score range
- 0 – 10
- Direction
- Higher = worse
- Scoring method
- Clinician Judgment
- Time to score
- ~20 min
Subscales
- Functional Systems Score0-5
Seven functional systems rated 0-5
- Ambulation0-10
Distance walked without aid
Cutoff thresholds & interpretation
| Severity | Threshold | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | 0 | Normal neurologic exam |
| Disability without gait impairment | 1.0-3.5 | Mild to moderate disability |
| Gait limitation | 4.0-6.5 | Walking limited; assistive device may be required |
| Wheelchair dependent | 7.0-9.5 | Restricted to wheelchair or bed |
Primary disability outcome in multiple sclerosis trials.
Editorial notes
Inter-rater reliability moderate; remains regulatory standard for MS disability progression.
Available languages
Validation studies (2)
- Rating neurologic impairment in MS: an expanded disability status scaleKurtzke JF. · Neurology · 1983DOI: 10.1212/WNL.33.11.1444
- Inter-rater reliability of the EDSS in MS trialsGoodkin DE, Cookfair D, et al. · Neurology · 1992DOI: 10.1212/WNL.42.4.859