Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS)
Patient-rated symptom burden tool in palliative care using 9 visual analogue scales (0-10 each). Total score (0-90) guides symptom management priorities.
Score interpretation
Total 0–20 — low overall symptom burden.
→ Continue current management; reassess at each visit; address any single symptom scoring ≥ 4.
Total 21–50 — moderate symptom burden; review high-scoring items.
→ Review symptoms scoring ≥ 4 and adjust symptom-specific management; palliative care team review; reassess within 24–48 hours after changes.
Total ≥ 51 — high symptom burden.
→ Urgent specialist palliative care review; prioritise symptoms scoring ≥ 7; psychological and family support; consider inpatient palliative care or hospice admission.
Interpretation bands for the ESAS Symptom Score. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Bruera E et al. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS): a simple method for the assessment of palliative care patients. J Palliat Care. 1991;7(2):6–9.
- Watanabe SM et al. A multicenter study comparing two numerical versions of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System in palliative care patients. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2011;41(2):456–468.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Methoxyflurane · Inhaled Analgesic — Acute Pain
- Fentanyl Transdermal Patch (Elderly Chronic Pain) · Opioid Analgesic — Transdermal Patch
- Morphine Slow-Release (Elderly Chronic Pain) · Opioid Analgesic — Modified-Release Oral
- Factor IX Concentrate · Coagulation Factor Replacement — Haemophilia B
- Amitriptyline (Neuropathic Pain / Migraine) · Tricyclic Antidepressant / Neuropathic Pain Agent
- Gabapentin · Alpha-2-Delta Ligand — Neuropathic Pain / Epilepsy Adjunct
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.