Index-Description

The WHO Performance Status (WHOPS-5) is a scale used to assess an individual’s functional status and ability to carry out daily activities, particularly in patients with chronic or severe conditions such as cancer. This scale was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and consists of 5 levels (0-4), where each level represents a different functional state of the patient:

0 – Fully active: The individual is capable of performing all daily activities without limitations.

1 – Slightly limited activity: The individual can perform light activities but is restricted from more demanding tasks.

2 – Moderately limited activity: The individual is self-sufficient but unable to carry out activities that require significant effort.

3 – Significantly limited activity: The individual can take care of themselves but cannot perform other daily activities and spends most of the time in bed or a chair.

4 – Completely bedridden: The individual is unable to self-care and is entirely immobilized.

Data Analysis and Usage

The WHOPS-5 is widely used in clinical studies and practice to assess the functional status of patients, allowing physicians to determine the appropriate therapeutic approach. The data collected from this scale can be used for:

Prognosis: Determining the patient’s prognosis, as functional status is related to disease outcomes and response to treatment.

Quality of life assessment: Evaluating the overall quality of life of the patient and the extent to which the illness affects their daily activities.

Therapeutic outcome analysis: Identifying changes in the patient’s condition over time, particularly in response to treatments or interventions.

Statistical analyses, such as correlation analysis and survival analysis, can be applied to the scale’s data to explore the relationship between the patient’s functional status and other clinical parameters.

Purpose

The main goal of the WHOPS-5 is to quickly and effectively assess the physical condition of patients in order to determine:

The appropriateness of specific therapeutic interventions (e.g., surgery, chemotherapy).

The prognosis and possible course of the disease.

The need for adjustments in patient care, taking into account their level of autonomy and ability to cope with daily needs.

The use of the WHOPS-5 scale is crucial for decision-making in clinical practice, research, and studying the impact of illness on patients’ quality of life.

Calibration

The calibration of the WHOPS-5 is based on the subjective assessment of patients’ functional ability by clinicians or the patients themselves. The main aspects of calibration include:

Reliability: Despite its subjective nature, the WHOPS-5 has proven to be reliable when used by trained professionals, showing good consistency among different evaluators.

Validity: It has sufficient validity as it significantly correlates with other measures of quality of life, prognosis, and survival.

Simplicity and ease of use: The WHOPS-5 is easy to use, requiring only a brief observation and assessment of the patient’s condition.

Bibliography

World Health Organization. (1979). Handbook for Reporting Results of Cancer Treatment. World Health Organization.

Oken, M. M., Creech, R. H., Tormey, D. C., Horton, J., Davis, T. E., McFadden, E. T., & Carbone, P. P. (1982). Toxicity and response criteria of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. American Journal of Clinical Oncology, 5(6), 649-655.

Büntzel, J., Micke, O., Kisters, K., Bruns, F., & Mücke, R. (2012). Malnutrition and survival – bioimpedance measurements in head neck cancer patients. In Vivo, 26(1), 69-73.