A comparative study between curb-65 and psi/port score as predictors for ICU admission and mortality in community acquired pneumonia patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Despite recent advances in clinical medicine, mortality due to CAP has remained relatively the same. Therefore, early recognition for ICU admission plays a pivotal role in management of CAP. PSI/PORT (Pneumonia Severity Index/ Pneumonia Patient Outcome Research Team) score and CURB-65 (Confusion, Uremia, Respiratory rate, BP, Age > 65 years) are the two severity assessment scores that have extensively been used by the clinicians to distinguish between high risk and low risk patients. This study aims at comparing the predictive value of these two scores for ICU admission and mortality. The information required for calculating CURB-65 and PSI was extracted with careful history taking, patient assessment and necessary investigations. Patients with >18 years of age, diagnosed clinically and radiologically with CAP were included in the study.CURB-65 and PSI scores were determined in a total of 131 patients on admission. Based on careful clinical assessment and judgment of treating physician 60 patients were admitted in ICU whereas 71 patients were admitted in medical ward. Out of 60 patients admitted in ICU 23 died. The ability to predict ICU admission was almost similar for PSI/PORT score (AUC 0.9605; 95% CI 0.9277-0.9933) and CURB-65 (AUC 0.9694; 95% CI 0.9368-1.9714). The ability to predict mortality was almost similar for PSI/PORT score (AUC 0.9196; 95% CI 0.8670-0.9722) and CURB-65 (AUC 0.9214 95% CI 0.8696-0.9732). CURB-65 score was found almost similar in predicting ICU admission amongst patients coming with CAP to our hospital when compared to PSI/PORT score and when predicting mortality in patients with community-acquired pneumonia, CURB-65 and PSI/PORT score appear to have comparable specificity and sensitivity. Considering the simplicity, CURB-65 score could be preferred over PSI/PORT score. However, larger studies are required to know the exact Indian scenario. Despite of recent advances in the field of medical science the mortality due to CAP has remained relatively the same. Therefore, early diagnosis and admission to ICU with standard treatment play a pivot role in management of patients with CAP. Two scoring system, PSI/PORT score and CURB-65 score, are widely being used to differentiate between low risk and high risk patients. We undertook this study for comparing the predictive value of these two scores for ICU admission and mortality.