Publication
Title
Severity assessment for lower respiratory tract infections : potential use and validity of the CRB-65 in primary care
Author
Institution/Organisation
GRACE Project Group
Abstract
Aims: To explore the potential use of the CRB-65 rule (based on Confusion, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure and age >65 years) in adults with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in primary care. Methods: Primary care clinicians in 13 European countries recorded antibiotic treatment and clinical features for adults with LRTI. Patients recorded daily symptoms. Multilevel regression models determined the association between an elevated CRB-65 score and prolonged moderately severe symptoms, hospitalisation, and time to recovery. Sensitivity analyses used zero imputation. Results: Respiratory rate and blood pressure were recorded in 22.7% and 31.9% of patients, respectively. A total of 2,690 patients completed symptom diaries. The CRB-65 could be calculated for 339 (12.6%). A score of >= 1 was not significantly associated with prolonged moderately severe symptoms (odds ratio (OR) 0.42, 95% Cl 0.04 to 4.19) or hospitalisations (OR 3.12, 95% Cl 0.16 to 60.24), but was associated with prolonged time to self-reported recovery when using zero imputation (hazard ratio (HR) 0.75, 95% Cl 0.64 to 0.88). Conclusions: Respiratory rate and blood pressure are infrequently measured in adults with LRTI. We found no evidence to support using the CRB-65 rule in the assessment of LRTI in primary care. However, it is unclear whether it is of value if used only in patients where the primary care clinician suspects pneumonia. (C) 2012 Primary Care Respiratory Society UK. All rights reserved. NA Francis et al. Prim Care Respir J 2012; 21(1): 65-70 http://dx.doi.org/10.4104/pcrj.2011.00083
Language
English
Source (journal)
Primary Care Respiratory Journal
Publication
2012
ISSN
1471-4418
DOI
10.4104/PCRJ.2011.00083
Volume/pages
21 :1 (2012) , p. 65-70
ISI
000304279400018
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 03.07.2012
Last edited 04.03.2024
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