17th February 2025

Grading pneumonia

The CURB-65 score is a screening tool used to assess the severity of pneumonia. It uses the following criteria:

• C – Confusion
• U – Urea > 7.0
• R – Respiratory rate > 30/minute
• B – Systolic blood pressure < 90 or diastolic blood pressure < 60 mgHg
• 65 – Age 65 or older 

Scores ≥3 are at highest risk with a mortality of  >15% and require hospital admission and consideration of ICU.