Disability Status Scale (DSS) for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Clinical Findings

DSS

normal findings on neurologic examination

0

no disability; minimal signs such as Babinski sign or vibratory decrease

1

minimal disability (slight weakness, or mild gait disturbance, or mild sensory or visuomotor disturbance)

2

moderate disability, although fully ambulatory (monoparesis, moderate ataxia, or combination of lesser dysfunctions)

3

relatively severe disability, although fully ambulatory and able to be self-sufficient; up and about approximately 12 hours a day

4

disability severe enough to preclude ability to work full day without special provisions; maximal motor function is the ability to walk unaided for no more than several blocks

5

walking assistance device (canes, crutches, braces) required for walking

6

restricted to wheelchair but able to wheel self; can enter and leave chair alone

7

restricted to bed but with effective use of arms

8

totally helpless and bedridden

9

Disability and Neurologic Findings

Walking and Getting About

DSS

no disability and normal neurologic examination

normal

0

no disability but minimal neurologic findings

normal

1

minimal

fully ambulatory, may have mild gait abnormality

2

moderate

fully ambulatory, with mild to moderate gait abnormality

3

relatively severe but self-sufficient

fully ambulatory, up and about 12 hours a day

4

severe; unable to work full day without special provisions

ability to walk unaided limited to a few blocks

5

severe; unable to work part-time without special provisions

requires walking assistance device

6

can enter and leave chair alone

restricted to wheelchair

7

effective use of arms

restricted to bed

8

totally dependent

bedridden

9