From: Gastrointestinal Complications (PDQ®)
PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet].
Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002-.
NCBI Bookshelf. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
Table 1. National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events: Diarrheaa,b
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Increase of <4 stools/day over baseline; mild increase in ostomy output compared with baseline |
| 2 | Increase of 4–6 stools/day over baseline; moderate increase in ostomy output compared with baseline |
| 3 | Increase of ≥7 stools/day over baseline; incontinence; hospitalization indicated; severe increase in ostomy output compared with baseline; limiting self-care ADLc |
| 4 | Life-threatening consequences; urgent intervention indicated |
| 5 | Death |
ADL = activities of daily living.
aAdapted from National Cancer Institute.[8]
bDefinition: A disorder characterized by frequent and watery bowel movements.
cSelf-care ADL refers to bathing, dressing and undressing, feeding self, using the toilet, taking medications, and not bedridden.