📋 Charlson Comorbidity Index
UseQuantifying comorbidity burden, prognostic stratification and research adjustment.
StrataCharlson 1987: 1-year mortality 12%, 26%, 52% and 85% for index 0, 1–2, 3–4 and ≥5 (derivation cohort, 559 me…
LimitsA population estimate, not a precise individual prediction. · The age-combined version uses a different formula and survival estima…
SourceCharlson ME, et al. A new method of classifying prognostic comorbidity in longitudinal studies: dev…
This-shift next steps
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Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
The 1987 original has no age points.
When to use
Quantifying comorbidity burden, prognostic stratification and research adjustment.
How it works
Comorbidities weighted 1, 2, 3 or 6 (e.g. MI, heart failure, uncomplicated diabetes 1; hemiplegia, moderate–severe renal disease, tumour, leukaemia, lymphoma 2; moderate–severe liver disease 3; metastatic tumour, AIDS 6). Scored per the 1987 original, without age points.
Key points
- The 1987 original has no age points.
- 1-year mortality 12%, 26%, 52%, 85% for 0, 1–2, 3–4, ≥5.
- Derivation cohort: 559 medical patients.
References
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Myocardial infarction (+1) | No |
|---|---|
| Congestive heart failure (+1) | No |
| Peripheral vascular disease (+1) | No |
| Cerebrovascular disease (+1) | No |
| Dementia (+1) | No |
| Chronic lung disease (+1) | No |
| Connective tissue disease (+1) | No |
| Peptic ulcer disease (+1) | No |
| Mild liver disease (+1) | No |
| Diabetes (uncomplicated) (+1) | No |
| Hemiplegia (+2) | No |
| Moderate–severe renal disease (+2) | No |
| Diabetes with end-organ damage (+2) | No |
| Any tumour (within 5 y) (+2) | No |
| Leukaemia (+2) | No |
| Lymphoma (+2) | No |
| Moderate–severe liver disease (+3) | No |
| Metastatic solid tumour (+6) | No |
| AIDS (+6) | No |
→Charlson index (1987)0
- 1-year mortality (derivation cohort)：12%
- Note：Scored per the 1987 original without age points; the age-combined version uses a different formula.
| Myocardial infarction (+1) | Yes (+1) |
|---|---|
| Congestive heart failure (+1) | Yes (+1) |
| Peripheral vascular disease (+1) | Yes (+1) |
| Cerebrovascular disease (+1) | Yes (+1) |
| Dementia (+1) | Yes (+1) |
| Chronic lung disease (+1) | Yes (+1) |
| Connective tissue disease (+1) | Yes (+1) |
| Peptic ulcer disease (+1) | Yes (+1) |
| Mild liver disease (+1) | Yes (+1) |
| Diabetes (uncomplicated) (+1) | Yes (+1) |
| Hemiplegia (+2) | Yes (+2) |
| Moderate–severe renal disease (+2) | Yes (+2) |
| Diabetes with end-organ damage (+2) | Yes (+2) |
| Any tumour (within 5 y) (+2) | Yes (+2) |
| Leukaemia (+2) | Yes (+2) |
| Lymphoma (+2) | Yes (+2) |
| Moderate–severe liver disease (+3) | Yes (+3) |
| Metastatic solid tumour (+6) | Yes (+6) |
| AIDS (+6) | Yes (+6) |
→Charlson index (1987)37
- 1-year mortality (derivation cohort)：85%
- Note：Scored per the 1987 original without age points; the age-combined version uses a different formula.
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Does Charlson Comorbidity Index upload patient data? Where is it calculated?
- Calculation runs locally in the browser; inputs and results are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; interpret with history, investigations and local protocols — not a diagnosis or prescription.
- How is Charlson Comorbidity Index calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: Myocardial infarction (+1) No, Congestive heart failure (+1) No, Peripheral vascular disease (+1) No, Cerebrovascular disease (+1) No, Dementia (+1) No, Chronic lung disease (+1) No, Connective tissue disease (+1) No, Peptic ulcer disease (+1) No… → Result: Charlson index (1987) 0（1-year mortality (derivation cohort): 12%, Note: Scored per the 1987 original without age points; the age-combined version uses a different formula.） Inputs: Myocardial infarction (+1) Yes (+1), Congestive heart failure (+1) Yes (+1), Peripheral vascular disease (+1) Yes (+1), Cerebrovascular disease (+1) Yes (+1), Dementia (+1) Yes (+1), Chronic lung disease (+1) Yes (+1), Connective tissue disease (+1) Yes (+1), Peptic ulcer disease (+1) Yes (+1)… → Result: Charlson index (1987) 37（1-year mortality (derivation cohort): 85%, Note: Scored per the 1987 original without age points; the age-combined version uses a different formula.）