[Possibilities and limits of scores. Theoretical considerations about scores]

Scores are intended to facilitate an accurate appreciation of the overall situation from a few characteristic, reasonably weighted parameters. This definite result in the form of a score means a reduction of reality. For the individual it cannot reasonably be applied in practice. Despite a long list of problems and limitations, a score can describe a collective and thus make it comparable to some extent. Because of the different compositions of the collectives, the value of scores for quality control is limited. The more physiological variables a score contains the more difficult it is to distinguish between the effect of therapy and the clinical course. Therefore, repeated measurement of scores is not useful to verify a therapeutic effect, but it can indicate a trend regarding the endpoint.