CURB-65 Pneumonia Severity Calculator

CURB-65 score for community-acquired pneumonia severity (0–5).

For educational and clinical reference. Not a substitute for medical judgment. See the medical disclaimer.
Score
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Interpretation
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References

  1. 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.

What is CURB-65 Pneumonia Severity?

The CURB-65 score is a clinical prediction rule for assessing 30-day mortality risk and guiding admission decisions in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Derived by Lim et al. in 2003 from the British Thoracic Society pneumonia cohort, it awards one point each for Confusion, Urea >7 mmol/L (BUN >19 mg/dL), Respiratory rate ≥30, Blood pressure (systolic <90 or diastolic ≤60), and age ≥65. Scores 0–1 predict low mortality (~1.5%) and support outpatient treatment, 2 suggests short-stay or supervised admission, and ≥3 indicates severe pneumonia (mortality ≥22%) requiring inpatient or ICU care.

How to use

  1. Check each of the 5 criteria.
  2. The score (0–5) and disposition guidance update instantly.
  3. For full risk stratification consider PSI or NEWS-2 alongside.

Frequently asked questions

What is CURB-65?

Confusion, Urea, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure, age ≥ 65 — a 5-point bedside score for severity of community-acquired pneumonia.

CURB-65 vs PSI?

PSI (Pneumonia Severity Index) is more accurate but requires 20 variables. CURB-65 is simpler and a reasonable first pass at the bedside.

When should a patient be admitted?

CURB-65 = 0–1 generally outpatient; = 2 short admission or supervised outpatient therapy; ≥ 3 hospital admission; 4–5 strongly consider ICU.

Is CRB-65 also valid?

Yes — CRB-65 (no urea) is useful when labs are not immediately available, often in primary care. Same thresholds apply.

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