Dr. Bell's disability scale

[Sylvia]

Dr Bell's Disability Scale
This scale is from 'The Doctor's Guide to Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome', by David S Bell, pages 122-123.
Copyright in the following excerpts remains with David S Bell, MD.
The attempt is to document as accurately as possible the severity
of symptoms, the degree of activity impairment with both activity
ansd rest, and the funtional ability regarding full-time work ... This
disability rating scale has been developed in our office and any
physiciam wishing to use it may feel free to do so.

CFS Disability Scale

100
No symptoms at rest. No symptoms with exercise; normal overall
activity level; able to work full-time without difficulty.

90
No symptoms at rest; mild symptoms with activity; normal overall
activity level; able to work full-time without difficulty.

80
Mild symptoms at rest, symptoms worsened by exertion; mionimal
activity restriction noted for activities requiring exertion only; able
to work full-time with difficulty in jobs requiring exertion.

70
Mild symptoms at rest; some daily activity limitation clearly noted.
Overall functioning close to 90% of expected except for activities
requiring exertion. Able to work full-time with difficulty.

60
Mild to moderate symptoms at rest; daily activity limitation clearly
noted. Overall functioning 70%-90%. Unable to work full-time in
jobs requiring physical labout, but able to work full-time in light
activities if hours flexible.

50
Moderate symptoms at rest; moderate to severe symptoms with
exercise or activity; overall activity level reduced to 70% of
expected. Unable to perform strenuous duties, but able to perform
light duty or desk work 4-5 hours a day, but requires rest periods. Page 2

40
Moderate symptoms at rest. Moderate to severe symptoms with
exercise or activity; overall activity level reduced to 50%-70% of
expected. Not confined to house. Unable to perform strenuous
duties; able to perform light duty or desk work 3-4 hours a day, but
requires rest periods.

30
Moderate to severe symptoms at rest. Severe symptoms with any
exercise; overall activity level reduced to 50% of expected. Usually
confined to house. Unable to perform any strenuous tasks. Able to
perform desk work 2-3 hours a day, but requires rest periods.

20
Moderate to severe symptoms at rest. Severe symptoms with any
exercise; overall activity level reduced to 30%-50% of expected.
Unable to leave house except rarely; confined to bed most of day;
unable to concentrate for more than 1 hour a day.

10
Severe symptoms at rest; bedridden the majority of the time. No
travel outside ofthe house. Marked cognitive symptoms preventing
concentration.

0
Severe symptoms on a continuous basis; bedridden constantly;
unable to care for self.

Details of the book:
'The Doctor's Guide to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome'
by David S Bell.
Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Reading, Mass.

[Sylvia]

What do you all think of these numbers?

[KimberlyC]

For me it varies, so based on that scale I would say I'm 40-50 on a good day and 20-30 on a bad day. However, it seems like the scale is meant for an overall general picture and in that case I can't say I fit well in any of those categories for most of the time.

[neil25]

my cfs activity scale changes like the weather, its almost like an on/off switch in my body one minute im exhausted but ten minutes later i feel refreshed no reason why. i would say i'm about 50% on good day and 20% on bad day.