Harvey-Bradshaw Index

Score five clinical parameters to classify Crohn's disease activity as remission, mild, moderate, or severe.

Use the Harvey-Bradshaw Index

Clinical Parameters

1. General well-being (past 24 hours)
2. Abdominal pain

Count each episode of liquid or very soft stool in the past 24 hours.

4. Abdominal mass
5. Complications (1 point each)

Check all that currently apply.

Fill in the parameters on the left and press Calculate.

Summary

The Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI) is a validated, five-item clinical score used to quantify Crohn's disease activity in a single-day assessment. It evaluates general well-being, abdominal pain intensity, liquid stool frequency, abdominal mass character, and extra-intestinal complications. The resulting score classifies disease as being in remission or mild, moderate, or severe activity.

How it works

  1. Rate your general well-being over the past day (0 = very well, 4 = terrible).
  2. Rate your worst abdominal pain (0 = none, 3 = severe).
  3. Enter the number of liquid or very soft stools in the past day.
  4. Indicate the presence and character of any abdominal mass.
  5. Check any current complications such as arthralgia, uveitis, or fistula.
  6. The total HBI score classifies disease activity: remission (<5), mild (5–7), moderate (8–16), or severe (>16).

Use cases

  • Monitoring Crohn's disease activity at clinic visits.
  • Tracking response to medical therapy over time.
  • Deciding when to escalate or step down treatment.
  • Documenting disease severity for specialist referrals.
  • Research and clinical trial eligibility screening.
  • Patient self-monitoring between appointments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-18 · Reviewed by Nham Vu