An organic and functional staging classification. A measurement of disability in otolaryngology.

The quantitative measurement of organic and functional problems is assessed by a staging classification that is a measurement of the severity of a patient's condition. The method separates a medical problem or disease into three stages. Stage 1 indicates disease with no complications or a problem of minimal severity. Stage 2 is disease with local complications or a problem of moderate severity. Stage 3 denotes disease with systemic complications or a problem of a serious nature. Eight examples in otorhinolaryngology are given to demonstrate the feasibility of developing scales that quantify organic and functional disability. The scale will be useful in evaluating diagnostic efficiency of physicians as well as to measure prognosis, therapeutic effectiveness, and medical care costs.