CURB-65

CURB-65 is a clinical prediction rule that has been validated for predicting mortality in community-acquired pneumonia and infection of any site. The CURB-65 is based on the earlier CURB score and is recommended by the British Thoracic Society for the assessment of severity of pneumonia.

The score is an acronym for each of the risk factors measured. Each risk factor scores one point, for a maximum score of 5:
 * confusion (defined as an AMT of 8 or less)
 * urea greater than 7 mmol/l (Blood Urea Nitrogen > 20)
 * respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute or greater
 * blood pressure less than 90 systolic or diastolic blood pressure 60 or less
 * age 65 or older

Predicting death from pneumonia
The risk of death increases as the score increases:
 * 0&mdash;0.7%
 * 1&mdash;3.2%
 * 2&mdash;13.0%
 * 3&mdash;17.0%
 * 4&mdash;41.5%
 * 5&mdash;57.0%

The CURB-65 has been compared to the pneumonia severity index in predicting mortality from pneumonia.

Predicting death from any infection
A cohort study of patients with any type of infection (half of the patients had pneumonia), the risk of death increases as the score increases :
 * 0 to 1 <5% mortality
 * 2 to 3 < 10% mortality
 * 4 to 5 15-30% mortality