CURB-65 Calculator

Severity points for community-acquired pneumonia

New confusion

BUN > 19 mg/dL (>7 mmol/L)

Respiratory rate ≥ 30/min

Systolic BP < 90 or diastolic BP ≤ 60 mmHg

Age ≥ 65 years

Equation & limitations

Equation: CURB-65 = (confusion 1) + (BUN>19 1) + (RR≥30 1) + (low BP 1) + (age≥65 1); range 0–5
Version: CURB-65 (Lim 2003)
Source: Lim WS, et al. Defining community acquired pneumonia severity on presentation to hospital. Thorax. 2003;58:377–382.
Appropriate in: Adults with community-acquired pneumonia in primary or secondary care.
Limitations: A severity estimate only. Site-of-care decisions also weigh oxygen saturation, comorbidities, social support and clinical judgement.
Not for hospital-acquired pneumonia or immunocompromised patients.
BUN is a urea proxy — using it when a patient has renal failure from other causes can over-score.

For educational use. Results support, and do not replace, clinical judgement — check them against the patient and local guidelines.