The CURB-65 score is a clinical prediction rule used to assess the risk of mortality in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and can assist in guiding management decisions.
Components of the CURB-65 score
The CURB-65 score incorporates the following five risk factors, with each risk factor contributing one point to the final score:
- Confusion: New onset confusion, defined as an Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS) of 8 or less.
- Urea: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) greater than 7 mmol/L.
- Respiratory rate: 30 breaths per minute or greater.
- Blood pressure: Systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure 60 mmHg or less.
- Age: 65 years or older