Interpretation
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | 98% 10-year survival |
| 2 | 90% |
| 3 | 77% |
| 4 | 53% |
| 5 | 21% |
| ≥ 6 | ≤ 2% |
Formula
1 point: MI, CHF, PVD, cerebrovascular disease, dementia, chronic pulmonary disease, connective tissue disease, peptic ulcer, mild liver disease, uncomplicated diabetes. 2 points: hemiplegia, moderate–severe CKD, diabetes with end-organ damage, localized solid tumour, leukemia, lymphoma. 3 points: moderate–severe liver disease. 6 points: metastatic solid tumour, AIDS. Age: 50–59 +1, 60–69 +2, 70–79 +3, ≥80 +4. 10-year survival = 0.983^(e^(0.9 × CCI)).
Clinical pearls
- Score only the most severe level of liver disease, diabetes and solid tumour (they are hierarchical).
- The survival formula was derived in 1980s cohorts; absolute estimates are dated, but the index remains a valid relative comorbidity measure.
Examples
charlson 72 yo with chf, copd and diabetes with nephropathycharlson comorbidity index 55 year old with metastatic cancercci 45M no comorbidities
FAQ
How is the age-adjusted Charlson index calculated?
Add 1 point per decade of age from 50 (50–59 = 1 up to ≥80 = 4) to the weighted comorbidity score.
What does a high Charlson score mean?
Higher scores predict higher mortality; a CCI of 5 or more corresponds to an estimated 10-year survival of about 21% or less.