[Use of rating scales with adult brain tumour patients].

The health system's requirement to quality assurance is resulting in the increasing demand to record the clinical condition of patients. Rating scales are increasingly used in the evaluation of the clinical status. In brain tumour patients, Karnofsky Performance Status has been the most employed scale. This article describes the criteria for choosing a rating scale, and it discusses the emphasis on physical, emotional, cognitive and quality of life-related issues. Ten rating scales are analyzed. None of the scales satisfy all the requirements. However, the Edinburgh Functional Impairment Test is a good option which requires further validation.