What does each letter in CURB-65 stand for?

C: Confusion, U: Urea > 7 mmol/L, R: Respiratory Rate ≥ 30, B: Blood Pressure (Systolic < 90 or Diastolic ≤ 60), 65: Age ≥ 65 years.

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CURB-65 Score

Evaluate the severity of community-acquired pneumonia and guide decisions on patient management (inpatient vs. outpatient).

Pneumonia varies from a mild illness to a life-threatening condition. The CURB-65 score is a clinical prediction rule used to estimate the mortality risk of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). By scoring five simple clinical factors, physicians can more objectively decide whether a patient can be safely treated at home, needs a hospital bed, or requires intensive care.

ConfusionNew mental confusion

BUN > 19 mg/dLUrea > 7 mmol/L

Respiratory Rate ≥ 30Breaths per minute

SBP < 90 or DBP ≤ 60Low blood pressure

Age ≥ 65Patient age

CURB-65 Score

0/ 5

Low Risk (Group 1)

Mortality risk is low (approx. 1.5%). Consider outpatient treatment.

Medical Disclaimer: This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Evidence & References

Lim WS, et al. Defining community acquired pneumonia severity on presentation to hospital: CURB-65 score is a light weight and reliable tool. Thorax. 2003.

Hoe het werkt

One point is assigned for each of the five criteria. The total score (0-5) correlates with 30-day mortality risk and guides site-of-care decisions.

Berekeningsformule

Total points (0-5) from CURB-65 criteria

Calculation Examples

1. **Outpatient**: A 40-year-old with pneumonia but normal vitals and urea. Score = **0**. Suitable for home treatment. 2. **Inpatient**: A 70-year-old (1 pt) who is confused (1 pt). Score = **2**. Hospital admission recommended.

Why use this tool in your daily life?

This tool standardizes pneumonia management. By providing an objective risk score, it helps reduce both unnecessary admissions for low-risk patients and dangerous home-discharges for those at high risk.