CURB-65 Score Calculator for Pneumonia Severity
About CURB-65 Score
The CURB-65 score is a clinical prediction rule that has been validated for predicting mortality in community-acquired pneumonia and infection of any site.
Score Components:
- Confusion
- Urea >7 mmol/L (>19 mg/dL)
- Respiratory rate ≥30/minute
- Blood pressure (systolic <90 mmHg or diastolic ≤60 mmHg)
- Age ≥65 years
Interpretation:
- 0-1: Low risk (0.6% mortality)
- 2: Moderate risk (2.7% mortality)
- 3: High risk (6.8% mortality)
- 4-5: Severe risk (14% mortality)
Clinical Significance:
The CURB-65 score helps clinicians determine the severity of pneumonia and guide treatment decisions, including whether to treat as an outpatient, inpatient, or consider intensive care.
References:
- Lim WS, van der Eerden MM, Laing R, et al. Defining community acquired pneumonia severity on presentation to hospital: an international derivation and validation study. Thorax. 2003;58(5):377-382.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Pneumonia in adults: diagnosis and management. Clinical guideline [CG191]. Published: 3 December 2014. Last updated: 16 September 2019.