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* Please click on each link to view/close help on assigning scores

Heart Score

Vascular Score

Hematopoietic Score

Respiratory Score

Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat & Larynx

Upper GI Score

Lower GI Score

Liver Score

Renal Score

Genitourinary Score

Muscloskeletal/Integument Score

Neurological Score

Endocrine/Metabolic & Breast Score

Psychiatric Score

Rating Malignancies

Unlisted Diseases

Heart
Level 0: No problem. Level 1: Remote MI (> five years ago) / occasional angina treated with prn meds. Level 2: CHF compensated with meds / daily anti-angine meds / left ventricular hypertorphy / atrial fibrillation / bundle branch block / daily antiarrhythimic drugs. Level 3: Previous MI within five years / abnormal stress test / status post percutaneous coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Level 4: Marked activity restriction secondary to cardiac status (i.e., unstable angina or intractable congestive heart failure.) Additional Considerations: The bulk of heart disease is encompassed by athersclerotic heart disease, arrythmias, congestive heart failure and valvular disease. Within each of these categories the 1-4 rating of severity must be judged. Atherosclerotic Heart Disease - Mild throught extremely severe stages of athersclerotic heart disease are reflected in the above levels as outlined. Congestive Heart Failure - Requiring daily medications for CHF merits at least a '2', intractable CHF a '4' and an intermediate condition a '3'. Arrhythmias - EKG findings of atrial fibrillation, right or left bundle branch block, or the necessity of daily antiarrhythmic drugs merits '2' at least, a bifasicular block a '3.' In patients who require a pacemaker, placement for an indidental finding of periods of bradycardia during a holder monitor would score a '2,' whereas placement of a pacemaker for cariogenic syncope would merit a '3.' Valvular Disease - Detectable murmurs that indicate valvular pathology without activity restriction would merit a '1,' more severly compromising valvular disease would require a progressively higher rating. Pericardial Pathology - A pericardial effusion or pericarditis would merit at least a '3'.

Heart

Level 0: No problem.
Level 1: Remote MI (> five years ago) / occasional angina treated with prn meds.
Level 2: CHF compensated with meds / daily anti-angine meds / left ventricular hypertorphy / atrial fibrillation / bundle branch block / daily antiarrhythimic drugs.
Level 3: Previous MI within five years / abnormal stress test / status post percutaneous coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Level 4: Marked activity restriction secondary to cardiac status (i.e., unstable angina or intractable congestive heart failure.)

Additional Considerations:

Atherosclerotic Heart Disease

Congestive Heart Failure

Arrhythmias

Valvular Disease

Pericardial Pathology

Vascular
Level 0: No problem. Level 1: Hypertension compensated with salt restriction and weight loss/serum cholesterol > 200 mg/dl. Serum cholesterol above normal* Level 2: Daily antihypertensive meds/one symptom of atersclerotic disease (angina, claudication, bruit, amaurosis fugax, absent pedal pulses) / aortic aneurysm < 4 cm. Level 3: Two or more symptoms of atherosclerosis. Level 4: Previous surgery for vascular problem/aortic aneurysm > 4 cm. Additional Considerations: Hypertension - Defined as a persistently elevated diastolic pressure > 90 mmHg. When managed drug free - '1,' requiring single daily antihypertensive - '2,' requiring two or more drugs for control or with evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy - '3.' Peripheral Atherosclerotic Disease - Evidence of at leason one physical symptom or imaging evidence (e.g., angiogram) merits a '2,' two or more symptoms a '3' and if bypass graft surgery was required or is currently indicated a '4' is merited. Intercranial vascular event - For consistency, CNS vascular events are listed under neurology Hyperlipidemia - In the original CIRS-G, cholesterol >200mg was rated 1. Given recent literature, we changed to above normal. We suggest a similar rating for triglycerides.

Vascular

Level 0: No problem.
Level 1: Hypertension compensated with salt restriction and weight loss/serum cholesterol > 200 mg/dl. Serum cholesterol above normal*
Level 2: Daily antihypertensive meds/one symptom of atersclerotic disease (angina, claudication, bruit, amaurosis fugax, absent pedal pulses) / aortic aneurysm < 4 cm.
Level 3: Two or more symptoms of atherosclerosis.
Level 4: Previous surgery for vascular problem/aortic aneurysm > 4 cm.

Additional Considerations:
Hypertension - Defined as a persistently elevated diastolic pressure > 90 mmHg. When managed drug free - '1,' requiring single daily antihypertensive - '2,' requiring two or more drugs for control or with evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy - '3.'
Peripheral Atherosclerotic Disease - Evidence of at leason one physical symptom or imaging evidence (e.g., angiogram) merits a '2,' two or more symptoms a '3' and if bypass graft surgery was required or is currently indicated a '4' is merited.
Intercranial vascular event - For consistency, CNS vascular events are listed under neurology
Hyperlipidemia - In the original CIRS-G, cholesterol >200mg was rated 1. Given recent literature, we changed to above normal. We suggest a similar rating for triglycerides.

Hematopoietic
Level 0: No problem Level 1: Hemoglobin: females > 10 < 12, males > 12 < 14 / anemia of chronic disease. Level 2: Hemoglobin: females > 8 < 10, males > 10 < 12 / anemia secondary to iron, vitamin B12, or folate deficiency or chronic renal failure / total white blood cell count > 2000 by < 4000. Level 3: Hemoglobin: females < 8, males < 10 / total WBC < 2000. Level 4: Any leukemia, any lymphoma. Additional Considerations: Malignancy - Any hematological malignancy would merit a '4.' Anemia - Sex specific hemoglobin cut-offs are provided above. An identifiable etiology other than chronic disease merits a '2' or higher if the anemia is more severe. Leucopenia - Total WBC cut-offs are provided.

Hematopoietic

Level 0: No problem
Level 1: Hemoglobin: females > 10 < 12, males > 12 < 14 / anemia of chronic disease.
Level 2: Hemoglobin: females > 8 < 10, males > 10 < 12 / anemia secondary to iron, vitamin B12, or folate deficiency or chronic renal failure / total white blood cell count > 2000 by < 4000.
Level 3: Hemoglobin: females < 8, males < 10 / total WBC < 2000.
Level 4: Any leukemia, any lymphoma.

Additional Considerations:

Malignancy

Anemia

Leucopenia

Respiratory
Level 0: No problem. Level 1: Recurrent episodes of acute bronchitis/currently treated asthma with prn inhalers / cigarette smoker > 10 but < 20 pack years. Level 2: X-ray evidence of COPD / requires daily theophylline or inhalers / treated for pneumonia two or more times in the past five years / smoked 20-40 pack years. Level 3: Limited ambulation secondary to limited respiratory capacity / requires oral steroids for lung disease / smoked > 40 pack years. Level 4: Requires supplemental Oxygen / at least one episode of respiratory failure requiring assisted ventilation / any lung cancer. Additional Considerations: Smoking Status - Smoking is a significant respiratory and cardiovascular risk and is rated according to lifetime pack years (the number of packs smoked per day multiplied by the number of years smoked in their lifetime). Ex-smokers, e.g., those with 25 pack-years but who have been smoke-free for the most recent 20 years would merit a lower rating than a 25 pack-year patient who is currently smoking (in this case a '1' instead of a '2') Chronic Bronchitis, Asthma, and Emphysema - These conditions are rated '1' if only prn inhalers are required, '2' if daily theophylline or inhalers are required, '3' if steroids are required and '4' if supplemental oxygen is required. More objective evidence, e.g. blood gases would help to sharpen the appropriate level. Pneumonia - As acute pneumonia treated as an outpatient would merit a '3,' and if hospitalization was required a '4.' Two ore more episodes of pneumonia in the past five years would permit a '2.'

Respiratory

Level 0: No problem.
Level 1: Recurrent episodes of acute bronchitis/currently treated asthma with prn inhalers / cigarette smoker > 10 but < 20 pack years.
Level 2: X-ray evidence of COPD / requires daily theophylline or inhalers / treated for pneumonia two or more times in the past five years / smoked 20-40 pack years.
Level 3: Limited ambulation secondary to limited respiratory capacity / requires oral steroids for lung disease / smoked > 40 pack years.
Level 4: Requires supplemental Oxygen / at least one episode of respiratory failure requiring assisted ventilation / any lung cancer.

Additional Considerations:

Smoking Status

Chronic Bronchitis, Asthma, and Emphysema

Pneumonia

Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat
Level 0: No problem. Level 1: Corrected vision 20/40 / chronic sinusitis / mild hearing loss. Level 2: Corrected vision 20/60 or reads newsprint with difficulty / requires hearing aid / chronic sinonasal complaints requiring medication / requires medication for vertigo. Level 3: Partially blind (requires an escort to venture out) / unable to read newsprint / conversational hearing still impaired with hearing aid. Level 4: Functional blindness / functional deafness / laryngectomy / requires surgical intervention for vertigo. Additional Considerations: Impaired vision - complexity of this category, the developers decided to score according to severity of the sensory disability and avoid rating each type of pathology. Therefore, whether cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration or other pathology is underlying the impaired vision, it is rated as follows: if they complain of decreased vision despite corrective lenses but have no restriction in activities and can read newsprint rate it as a '1,' if they have difficulty reading newsprint or driving due to vision - '2,' if they cannot read newsprint or require assistance from a signted person - '3,' and if they are 'functionally blind' i.e., unable to read, recognize a familiar face from across the room or negotiate a novel environment alone, a '4' is merited. Note: The term 'functional' refers to ability to function and does not imply psychogenic origin. Vertigo, Lightheadedness and Dizziness - These complaints are very frequent in the elderly and would merit a '2' if medications are required for control and a '4' if surgical intervention is required. Other conditions - Of the myriad of other EENT conditions, rating should be based on an estimate of the level of disability or impairment e.g., laryngectomy merits a '4' as it severely limits communication, etc.

Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat

Level 0: No problem.
Level 1: Corrected vision 20/40 / chronic sinusitis / mild hearing loss.
Level 2: Corrected vision 20/60 or reads newsprint with difficulty / requires hearing aid / chronic sinonasal complaints requiring medication / requires medication for vertigo.
Level 3: Partially blind (requires an escort to venture out) / unable to read newsprint / conversational hearing still impaired with hearing aid.
Level 4: Functional blindness / functional deafness / laryngectomy / requires surgical intervention for vertigo.

Additional Considerations:

Impaired vision

Vertigo, Lightheadedness and Dizziness

Other conditions

Upper GI
Level 0: No problem. Level 1: Hiatal hernia / heartburn complaints treated with prn meds. Level 2: Needs daily H2 blocker or antacid / documented gastric or duodenal ulcer within five years. Level 3: Active ulcer / guiac positive stools / any swallowing disorder or dysphagia. Level 4: Gastric cancer / history of perforated ulcer / melena or hematochezia from UGI source. Additional Considerations: Ulcers - Symptoms of heartburn, and the diagnoses of hiatal hernia, gastritis and gastric or duodenal ulcer can be seen on a continuum of severity, i.e., mild symptoms requiring prn antacids merit a '1,' daily antacid regimens - '2,' an active ulcer or in combination with guiac positive stools - '3,' and a history of perforated ulcer or heavy bleeding from a UGI source a '4. Cancer - Any UGI malignancy generally merits a '4.' (See 'Rating Malignancies')

Upper GI

Level 0: No problem.
Level 1: Hiatal hernia / heartburn complaints treated with prn meds.
Level 2: Needs daily H2 blocker or antacid / documented gastric or duodenal ulcer within five years.
Level 3: Active ulcer / guiac positive stools / any swallowing disorder or dysphagia.
Level 4: Gastric cancer / history of perforated ulcer / melena or hematochezia from UGI source.

Additional Considerations:

Ulcers

Cancer

Lower GI
Level 0: No problem. Level 1: Constipation managed with prn meds / active hemorrhoids / status post hernia repair. Level 2: Requires daily bulk laxatives or stool softeners / diverticulosis / untreated hernia. Level 3: Bowel impaction in the past year / daily use of stimulant laxatives or enemas. Level 4: Hematochezia from lower GI source, currently impacted, diverticulitis flare up / status post bowel obstruction / bowel carcinoma. Additional Considerations: Constipation - Constipation is rated by severity most easily by what type and how frequent laxatives are required or by a history of impaction as above. Bleeding and Cancer - Any active bleeding generally merits a '4' as does the diagnosis of cancer (see 'Rating Malignancies'). Diverticular Disease - A diagnosis of diverticulosis or a history of diverticulitis in the past merits a '2,' an active flare-up of diverticulitis merits a '4' and an intermediate condition a '3.'

Lower GI

Level 0: No problem.
Level 1: Constipation managed with prn meds / active hemorrhoids / status post hernia repair.
Level 2: Requires daily bulk laxatives or stool softeners / diverticulosis / untreated hernia.
Level 3: Bowel impaction in the past year / daily use of stimulant laxatives or enemas.
Level 4: Hematochezia from lower GI source, currently impacted, diverticulitis flare up / status post bowel obstruction / bowel carcinoma.

Additional Considerations:

Constipation

Bleeding and Cancer

Diverticular Disease

Liver
Level 0: No problem. Level 1: History of hepatitis > five years ago / cholecystectomy. Level 2: Mildly elevated LFT's (up to 150% of normal) / hepatitis within five years / cholelithiasis / daily or heavy alcohol use within five years. Level 3: Elevated bilirubin (total > 2) / marked elevation of LFT's (> 150% of normal) / requires supplemental pancreatic enzymes for digestion. Level 4: Biliary obstruction / any biliary tree carcinoma / cholecystitis / pancreatitis / active hepatitis. Additional Considerations: As the hepato-biliary systems is difficult to assess through the physical exam, lab results must be used. Gall Bladder Disease - A remote cholecystectomy merits a '1,' cholelithiasis or gall stones visualized with imaging techniques merits a '2,' and acute cholecystitis a '4.' Hepatitis - A history of hepatitis within five years that is inactive at present merits a '2,' active hepatitis a '4.' Pancreatic Disease - Pancreatic insufficiency requiring supplemental enzymes or chronic pancreatitis merits a '3,' acute pancreatitis merits a '4.' Carcinoma - Any hepato-biliary tree carcinoma generally merits a '4' (see 'Rating Malignancies')

Liver

Level 0: No problem.
Level 1: History of hepatitis > five years ago / cholecystectomy.
Level 2: Mildly elevated LFT's (up to 150% of normal) / hepatitis within five years / cholelithiasis / daily or heavy alcohol use within five years.
Level 3: Elevated bilirubin (total > 2) / marked elevation of LFT's (> 150% of normal) / requires supplemental pancreatic enzymes for digestion.
Level 4: Biliary obstruction / any biliary tree carcinoma / cholecystitis / pancreatitis / active hepatitis.

Additional Considerations:

Gall Bladder Disease

Hepatitis

Pancreatic Disease

Carcinoma

Renal
Level 0: No problem. Level 1: s/p kidney stone passage within the past 10 years or asymptomatic kidney stone / pyelonephritis within five years. Level 2: Serum creatinine > 1.5 but < 3.0 without diuretic or antihypertensive medication. Level 3: Serum creatinine > 3.0 or serum creatinine > 1.5 in conjuction with diuretic, antihypertensive, or bicarbonate therapy / current pyelonephritis. Level 4: Requires dialysis / renal carcinoma. Additional Considerations: Renal function must also rely on laboratory tests reflected in the above cut-off values. Some patients are asymptomatic with an elevated creatinine and thus differentiating a '2' from a '3' will depend on whether adjunctive medications are required. Either peritoneal or hemodialysis would merit a '4' as would any end stage renal state or renal carcinoma. Specific glomerular disease or nephrotic syndromes would merit a '2' or '3' depending on the treatment required.

Renal

Level 0: No problem.
Level 1: s/p kidney stone passage within the past 10 years or asymptomatic kidney stone / pyelonephritis within five years.
Level 2: Serum creatinine > 1.5 but < 3.0 without diuretic or antihypertensive medication.
Level 3: Serum creatinine > 3.0 or serum creatinine > 1.5 in conjuction with diuretic, antihypertensive, or bicarbonate therapy / current pyelonephritis.
Level 4: Requires dialysis / renal carcinoma.

Additional Considerations:

Genitourinary
Level 0: No problem. Level 1: Stress incontinence / hysterectomy / BPH without urinary symptoms. Level 2: Abnormal pap smear / frequent UTI's (three or more in the past year) / urinary incontinence (non stress) in females / BPH with hesitancy or frequency / current UTI / any urinary diversion procedure / status post TURP. Level 3: Prostatic cancer in situ (i.e., found incidentally during TURP) / vaginal bleeding / cervical carcinoma in situ / hematuria / status post urosepsis in past year. Level 4: Acute urinary retention / any GU carcinoma except as above. Additional Considerations: This category is long on description as sex-specific pathology must be considered separately. Urinary incontinence- This problem is more common in elderly women and merits a '1' if it occurs only occasionally or in response to a cough, etc. (stress incontinence). Daily incontinence requiring adult diapers or regular nighttime incontinence would merit a '3.' Vaginal bleeding and abnormal PAP smears - Vaginal bleeding of significant persistent nature merits a '3,' a previous hysterectomy for bleeding or fibroid nonmalignant tumors merits a '1' (as the bleeding has been cured). One abnormal PAP smear can result from chronic vaginitis and is usually repeated, a definite abnormal smear merits a '2,' cervical carcinoma in situ merits a '3,' and any GU carcinoma merits a '4.' Urinary Infections - Recurrent UTI's (three or more in the past year) merits a '1' in women and at least a '3' in men. A current UTI merits a '2,' a history of urosepsis in the past year a '3' and a current urosepsis a '4.' Prostate problems - An enlarged prostate on physical exam merits a '1,' with urinary hesitancy or frequency or status post Trans Urethral Prostatectomy (TURP) merits a '2,' an incidental finding of carcinoma in situ found during a TURP merits a '3,' and prostate carcinoma or bladder outlet obstruction generally merits a '4' (see 'Rating Malignancies') Urinary Diversion Procedure - Patients with ileal loops, indwelling catheters or nephrostomies would merit at least a '2.'

Genitourinary

Level 0: No problem.
Level 1: Stress incontinence / hysterectomy / BPH without urinary symptoms.
Level 2: Abnormal pap smear / frequent UTI's (three or more in the past year) / urinary incontinence (non stress) in females / BPH with hesitancy or frequency / current UTI / any urinary diversion procedure / status post TURP.
Level 3: Prostatic cancer in situ (i.e., found incidentally during TURP) / vaginal bleeding / cervical carcinoma in situ / hematuria / status post urosepsis in past year.
Level 4: Acute urinary retention / any GU carcinoma except as above.

Additional Considerations:

Urinary incontinence

Vaginal bleeding and abnormal PAP smears

Urinary Infections

Prostate problems

Urinary Diversion Procedure

Muscloskeletal/Integument
Level 0: No problem. Level 1: Uses prn meds for arthritis or has mildly limited ADL's from joint pathology / excised non-melatonic skin cancers / skin infections requiring antibiotics within a year. Level 2: Daily antiarthritis meds or use of assistive devices or moderate limitation in ADL's / daily meds for chronic skin conditions / melanoma without metastasis. Level 3: Severely impaired ADL's secondary to arthritis / requires steroids for arthritis condition / vertebral compression fractures from osteoporosis. Level 4: Wheelchair bound / severe joint deformity or severely impaired usage / osteomyelitis / any bone or muscle carcinoma / metastatic melanoma. Additional Considerations: Skin cancers - Malignant melanoma must be differentiated from other localized skin cancers that merit a '1.' A melanoma diagnosis merits a '2,' with metastasis, a '4.' Arthritis - Arthritis is most simply rated according to resulting disability or level of treatment required as outlined above. Osteoporosis, Osteomyelitis, and Cancer - Osteoporosis with compression fractures a '3.' Osteomyelitis requires intensive inpatient treatment generally and merits a '4.' An muscle or joint cancer generally merits a '4' (see 'Rating Malignancies'). Orthopedic Surgery - Since hip or knee replacements are usually performed for severe arthritis we suggest a rating of 3

Muscloskeletal/Integument

Level 0: No problem.
Level 1: Uses prn meds for arthritis or has mildly limited ADL's from joint pathology / excised non-melatonic skin cancers / skin infections requiring antibiotics within a year.
Level 2: Daily antiarthritis meds or use of assistive devices or moderate limitation in ADL's / daily meds for chronic skin conditions / melanoma without metastasis.
Level 3: Severely impaired ADL's secondary to arthritis / requires steroids for arthritis condition / vertebral compression fractures from osteoporosis.
Level 4: Wheelchair bound / severe joint deformity or severely impaired usage / osteomyelitis / any bone or muscle carcinoma / metastatic melanoma.

Additional Considerations:

Skin cancers

Arthritis

Osteoporosis, Osteomyelitis, and Cancer

Orthopedic Surgery

Neurological
Level 0: No problem. Level 1: Frequent headaches requiring prn meds without interference with daily activities / a history of TIA phenomena (at least one). Level 2: Requires daily meds for chronic headaches or headaches that regularly interfere with daily activities / S/P CVA without significant residual / neurodegenerative disease (Parkinson's, MS, ALS, etc) - mild severity. Level 3: S/P CVA with mild residual dysfunction / any CNS neurological procedure / neurodegenerative disease - moderate severity. Level 4: S/P CVA with residual functional hemiparesis or aphasia / neurodegenerative disease - severe. Additional Considerations: Headaches - Frequent headaches requiring prn medication merits a '1,' requiring daily anti-headache prophylaxis or intermittent severe headaches (e.g., migraines that require bed rest) merits a '2.' TIA's and Strokes - One transient ischemic attack (TIA) merits a '2.' Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) are rated as above according to the level of residual deficit or disability, for example, a patient who had hemiparesis and speech slurring but regained articular speech and walks with only a slight remaining gait disturbance would be scored a '3.' Vertigo, Dizziness and Lightheadedness - For consistency these are grouped under ear, nose and throat although this category overlaps with neurology. Neurodenerative Disease - Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) are three exams of a wide variety of degenerative neurological diseases. These illnesses are rated according to the severity of impairment at the time of rating, beginning at the '2' level. An example of a '3' would be a parkinsonian patient who shows residual bradykinesia and shuffling gait despite anti-parkinsonia medication, an example of a '4' would be a patient unable to care for their own basic needs bathing, toileting, etc.) because of the severe progression of their illness. Dementia (see 'Psychiatric Conditions') - Although dementia can be considered a neurological as well as a psychiatric condition, for simplicity it should be grouped under 'psychiatric conditions' as it's effect on function is primarily in this realm. For arbitrary clarity, Alzheimer's disease should be listed only under psych. If the dementia stems from multi-infarct dementia or other neurological condition with concomitant neurological signs or symptoms, both 'neurologic' and 'psychiatric' categories should be endorses at the appropriate level for severity.

Neurological

Level 0: No problem.
Level 1: Frequent headaches requiring prn meds without interference with daily activities / a history of TIA phenomena (at least one).
Level 2: Requires daily meds for chronic headaches or headaches that regularly interfere with daily activities / S/P CVA without significant residual / neurodegenerative disease (Parkinson's, MS, ALS, etc) - mild severity.
Level 3: S/P CVA with mild residual dysfunction / any CNS neurological procedure / neurodegenerative disease - moderate severity.
Level 4: S/P CVA with residual functional hemiparesis or aphasia / neurodegenerative disease - severe.

Additional Considerations:

Headaches

TIA's and Strokes

Vertigo, Dizziness and Lightheadedness

Neurodenerative Disease

Dementia (see 'Psychiatric Conditions')

Endocrine/Metabolic and Breast
Level 0: No problem. Level 1: Diabetes mellitus compensated with diet / obesity: BMI > 30/requires thyroid hormone replacement. Level 2:* Diabetes mellitus requiring insulin or oral agents / fibrocystic breast disease. Level 3: Any electrolyte disturbance requiring hospital treatment / morbid obesity BMI > 45. Level 4:* Brittle or poorly controlled diabetes mellitus or diabetic coma in the past year / requires adrenal hormone replacement / adrenal, thyroid, or breast carcinoma. Additional Considerations: Diabetes Mellitus - Recognized diabetes mellitus controlled with diet merits a '1,' when insulin or oral agents are required, a '2' is merited; brittle or poorly controlled diabetes or a history of diabetic ketoacidosis or nonketotic hyperosmolar coma in the past year merits a '4,' and an intermediate level of severity e.g., family well controlled blood sugars in the 300 mg/dl range with some retinopathy or peripheral neuropathy would merit a '3.' Hormone replacement / Electrolyte disturbance - Thyroid replacement in the elderly is common and should be rated a '1' if otherwise uncomplicated. Potassium supplementation for patients taking diuretics is routine and would not merit a rating unless the serum potassium level was severely low. Abnormalities of other electrolytes can be serious conditions, for simplicity, we have designated those conditions that require hospital treatment to merit at least a '3.' Adrenal hormone replacement merits a '3.' Other endocrine conditions require judgment of relative severity according to the level of morbidity caused by the condition. Obesity - Obesity is considered a risk for a variety of conditions and is rated with guidelines of relative severity using the Body Mass Index (BMI) as the current standard for measuring weight for a given height. Note the sex specific charts or nomograms provided in the index of this manual. Breast Pathology - For lack of a better place, breast problems were included with endocrine / metabolic even though the breast is technically an exocrine gland. Fibrocystic breast disease merits a '2,' breast cancer generally merits a '4' (see 'Rating Malignancies').

Endocrine/Metabolic and Breast

Level 0: No problem.
Level 1: Diabetes mellitus compensated with diet / obesity: BMI > 30*/requires thyroid hormone replacement.
Level 2: Diabetes mellitus requiring insulin or oral agents / fibrocystic breast disease.
Level 3: Any electrolyte disturbance requiring hospital treatment / morbid obesity BMI > 45*.
Level 4: Brittle or poorly controlled diabetes mellitus or diabetic coma in the past year / requires adrenal hormone replacement / adrenal, thyroid, or breast carcinoma.

Additional Considerations:

Diabetes Mellitus

Hormone replacement / Electrolyte disturbance

Obesity

Breast Pathology

Psychiatric Illness
Level 0: No psychiatric problem or history thereof. Level 1: Minor psychiatric condition or history thereof. Specifically: previous outpatient mental health treatment during a crisis / outpatient treatment for depression > 10 years ago / current usage of minor tranquilizers for episodic anxiety (occasional usage) / mild early dementia (MMS > 25 < 28). Level 2: A history of Major Depression (by DSM III-R criteria within the past 10 years (treated or untreated) / mild dementia (MMS 20-25) / any previous psychiatric hospitalization / any psychotic episode / substance abuse history > 10 years ago. Level 3: Currently meets DSM III-R criteria for major depression or two or more episodes of major depression in the past 10 years / moderate dementia (MMS 15-20) / current usage of daily antianxiety medication / currently meets DSM III-R criteria for substance abuse or dependence / requires daily antipsychotic medication. Level 4: Current mental illness requiring psychiatric hospitalization, institutionalization, or intensive outpatient management, e.g., patients with severe or suicidal depression, acute psychosis or psychotic decompensation, severe agitation from dementia, severe substance abuse etc. / Severe dementia (MMS < 15). Additional Considerations: Rating psychiatric illness in keeping with the stated principles of this scale may be like a daunting task particularly for raters with little mental health experiences. Psychiatric consultation may be required for clarification. Thorough mental health histories and mental status exams are rarely obtained in the course of medical / surgical evaluations; therefore, retrospective rating from charts may show an inadequate database to properly rate all but the most obvious mental health impairments. Nevertheless, the following organizing threads are intended to guide the rater to reasonable assessments. It is assumed the rater has a working similarity with DSM III-R3 and the Mini-Mental Status Exam (Folstein et al., 1975). Dementia and Depression - For the elderly, dementia and depression are the most common psychiatric diagnoses and are a focus of the rating categories according to the severity and time period since the last episode. Common sense dictates that those patients with more severe illness or more frequent episodes or who require more intensive intervention merit a higher severity rating. Personality Disorders - Patients with Personality Disorders are defined broadly as having chronic difficulties maintaining satisfying interpersonal relationships. These disorders may produce severe impairments in some patients and should be rated accordingly; e.g., suicidal potential requires inquiry into the lethality and intent of any previous suicide attempts and may merit a '3' or '4.' Psychiatric consultation is recommended for the inexperienced rater. Delirium - Delirium (see DMS III-R definition) is assumed to have an underlying organic etiology and should be scored both according to the level of psychiatric impairment and in the appropriate medical category, e.g., delirium secondary to hyponatremia requiring hospitalization would merit a '4' for 'Psyche' and at least a '3' for 'Metabolic' (depending on severity).

Psychiatric Illness

Level 0: No psychiatric problem or history thereof.
Level 1: Minor psychiatric condition or history thereof. Specifically: previous outpatient mental health treatment during a crisis / outpatient treatment for depression > 10 years ago / current usage of minor tranquilizers for episodic anxiety (occasional usage) / mild early dementia (MMS > 25 < 28).
Level 2: A history of Major Depression (by DSM III-R criteria within the past 10 years (treated or untreated) / mild dementia (MMS 20-25) / any previous psychiatric hospitalization / any psychotic episode / substance abuse history > 10 years ago.
Level 3: Currently meets DSM III-R criteria for major depression or two or more episodes of major depression in the past 10 years / moderate dementia (MMS 15-20) / current usage of daily antianxiety medication / currently meets DSM III-R criteria for substance abuse or dependence / requires daily antipsychotic medication.
Level 4: Current mental illness requiring psychiatric hospitalization, institutionalization, or intensive outpatient management, e.g., patients with severe or suicidal depression, acute psychosis or psychotic decompensation, severe agitation from dementia, severe substance abuse etc. / Severe dementia (MMS < 15).

Additional Considerations:

Dementia and Depression

Personality Disorders

Delirium

Rating Malignancies
SAOP Note: In studies of cancer patients, the primary oncological diagnosis is not counted, since it is a comorbidity scale. Controlateral breast cancers are to be considered as second primaries. Carcinomas in-situ can be rated 1 category lower than the corresponding invasive cancers.
0.	No Malignancy.
1.	Cancer diagnosed in the past without evidence of recurrence or sequelae in the past 10 years.
	SAOP Note: Non-melanomatous skin cancers and in-situ cervical cancers.
2.	Cancer diagnosed in the past without evidence of recurrence or sequelae in the past 5 years.
3.	Required chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal therapy or surgical procedure in the past 5 years.
4.	Recurrent malignancy of life threatening potential/failed containment of the primary/palliative treatment stage
These ratings are to be made in the appropriate organ category for a given malignancy.

Unlisted Diseases
IIf a specific disease is not listed, please rate it under the most appropriate organ category with the following principles.
0.	No problem
1.	Current mild problem or past significant problem.
2.	Moderate disability or morbidity / requires ‘first line’ therapy
3.	Severe/constant significant disability / ‘uncontrollable’ chronic problem.
4.	Extremely severe / immediate treatment required / end organ failure / severe impairment in function.