Core adverse prognostic factors: CURB score components:
(1) confusion
(2) urea raised (> 7 mmol/L)
(3) respiratory rate raised (>= 30 breaths per minute)
(4) blood pressure low (systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg, or diastolic blood pressure <= 60 mm Hg)
CURB score =
= SUM(number of parameters present)
Additional adverse prognostic findings:
(1) age >= 50 years
(2) coexisting chronic disease
(3) hypoxia (any FIO2, PaO2 < 8 kPa, or SaO2 < 92%)
(4) bilateral or multilobe involvement on the chest radiograph
where:
• It does not appear that the risk differentiates the severity or number of coexisting chronic disease(s).
Interpretation:
• minimum CURB score: 0
• maximum CURB score: 4
• A CURB score >= 2 (2 or more core adverse prognostic factors) was associated with severe pneumonia.
• A patient with severe pneumonia is a candidate for initial combined antibiotic therapy.
