General medicine
Pulmonology
Infectious Diseases
The CRB-65 incorporates four of the CURB-65 criteria without requiring a urea measurement. It is particularly useful when a severity assessment needs to be performed outside of an environment with immediate access to laboratory testing. It assists with patient triage without replacing clinical examination.
Number of questions
4 criteria
Approximate duration
≈ 1 minute
Population
Adults with community-acquired pneumonia
Modality
clinical score
QuestionnaireCRB-65
CLINICIAN SCORE
The healthcare professional assesses four criteria: new-onset confusion, respiratory rate ≥ 30/min, SBP < 90 mmHg or DBP ≤ 60 mmHg, and age ≥ 65; each criterion present is worth 1 point (score from 0 to 4).
Are you patient?
Pneumonia can be serious even with a low score. This calculation should only serve to support medical evaluation.
Terms of contract
The CRB-65 score is calculated by a healthcare professional, particularly in primary care, for an adult with clinically diagnosed community-acquired pneumonia, without the need for lab tests. Respiratory rate and blood pressure are measured during the consultation; the score should be interpreted alongside clinical judgment, as it can be influenced by comorbidities or pregnancy. Confusion: new disorientation regarding person, place, or time, or an Abbreviated Mental Test score ≤ 8/10; distinguish new confusion from chronic cognitive impairment.
Score interpretationCRB-65
Each criterion present is worth 1 point; total score from 0 to 4.
Total score
First reading
0
to
0
Low risk according to the score, subject to the clinical context.
1
to
2
Intermediate risk.
3
to
4
High risk.
0: low risk; 1–2: intermediate risk; 3–4: high risk.
It remains a simplified prognostic score and does not replace signs of severity or clinical decision-making.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between CRB-65 and CURB-65?
Does a score of 0 always allow you to stay at home?
What are its limitations?
Sources and references
Lim WS et al.
Lim WS et al., Thorax, 2003
In practice
Full name
Confusion, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure, age ≥65
Method
clinical score
Language
Not applicable (clinical score)
Authors
Lim WS et al.
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