Opi
Calc
AKPS — Australia-modified Karnofsky Performance Status
BODE Index (Palliative context)
CAM-S (Confusion Assessment Method - Severity)
CPOT (Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool)
Death Rattle Scoring (Victoria)
Distress Thermometer
Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS-r)
FAST Scale (Dementia)
IPOS (Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale)
Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS)
Menten Score
Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose (MEDD)
Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC)
Opioid Risk Tool (ORT)
PAINAD Scale
Palliative Performance Scale (PPSv2)
Palliative Prognostic (PaP) Score
Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI)
Respiratory Distress Observation Scale (RDOS)
Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS-PAL)
Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM)
e-PaP Score
Recent Journal Updates
Diabetologia
Apr 15, 2026
Nature vs nurture of glucose homeostasis trajectories in children from the ALSPAC study
Why this matters
Broad domain relevance to MSAS.
Diabetologia
Apr 13, 2026
Updates on paediatric MASLD: insights from an endocrine lens
Why this matters
Broad domain relevance to MSAS.
Diabetologia
Mar 14, 2026
The glycaemic response to morning fasted resistance exercise is more consistent than the response to afternoon fed resistance exercise for adults with type 1 diabetes: a randomised crossover comparison
Why this matters
Broad domain relevance to MSAS.
Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS)
MSAS: Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (15 core items shown; full 32-item available).
Pain
0 - Not present
1 - Slight
2 - Mild
3 - Moderate
4 - Severe
Tiredness/Fatigue
0 - Not present
1 - Slight
2 - Mild
3 - Moderate
4 - Severe
Nausea
0 - Not present
1 - Slight
2 - Mild
3 - Moderate
4 - Severe
Vomiting
0 - Not present
1 - Slight
2 - Mild
3 - Moderate
4 - Severe
Loss of Appetite
0 - Not present
1 - Slight
2 - Mild
3 - Moderate
4 - Severe
Constipation
0 - Not present
1 - Slight
2 - Mild
3 - Moderate
4 - Severe
Diarrhea
0 - Not present
1 - Slight
2 - Mild
3 - Moderate
4 - Severe
Mouth Sores
0 - Not present
1 - Slight
2 - Mild
3 - Moderate
4 - Severe
Depression
0 - Not present
1 - Slight
2 - Mild
3 - Moderate
4 - Severe
Anxiety
0 - Not present
1 - Slight
2 - Mild
3 - Moderate
4 - Severe
Drowsiness
0 - Not present
1 - Slight
2 - Mild
3 - Moderate
4 - Severe
Difficulty Sleeping
0 - Not present
1 - Slight
2 - Mild
3 - Moderate
4 - Severe
Difficulty Concentrating
0 - Not present
1 - Slight
2 - Mild
3 - Moderate
4 - Severe
Shortness of Breath
0 - Not present
1 - Slight
2 - Mild
3 - Moderate
4 - Severe
Fever
0 - Not present
1 - Slight
2 - Mild
3 - Moderate
4 - Severe
Calculate MSAS Score
Guidelines & Evidence
Clinical Details
Section 1
When to Use
When to Use
Comprehensive multidimensional symptom assessment in advanced cancer
Evaluation of symptom frequency, severity, and distress
Research and outcome measurement in oncology
Detailed baseline and serial symptom tracking
Section 2
Formula & Logic
Scale Structure
32-item scale assessing symptom frequency and distress across physical, emotional, and constitutional domains.
Symptom Domains
Pain and discomfort
Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, appetite, taste)
Respiratory symptoms (dyspnea, cough)
Neurological symptoms (concentration, memory, anxiety)
Constitutional symptoms (fatigue, weakness)
Section 3
Pearls/Pitfalls
Key Advantages
Most comprehensive symptom assessment tool available
Captures both frequency and distress dimensions
Well-validated in cancer populations over decades
Known Limitations
Length (32 items) limits feasibility in busy settings
Best suited for research rather than rapid clinical screening
Last Comprehensive Review: 2026
Related Palliative Care Tools
AKPS — Australia-modified Karnofsky Performance Status
BODE Index
CAM-S
CPOT
Death Rattle Scoring
Distress Thermometer
e-PaP Score
Edmonton Symptom Assessment System
FAST Scale
IPOS
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