Validity of pneumonia severity assessment scores in africa and south asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Sarah Khalid Al Hussain (Lead / Corresponding author), Amanj Kurdi, Nouf Abutheraa, Asma AlDawsari, Jacqueline Sneddon, Brian Godman, Ronald Andrew Seaton

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)
28 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: Although community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) severity assessment scores are widely used, their validity in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) is not well defined. We aimed to investigate the validity and performance of the existing scores among adults in LMICs (Africa and South Asia).

Methods: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus and Web of Science were searched to 21 May 2020. Studies evaluating a pneumonia severity score/tool among adults in these countries were included. A bivariate random-effects meta-analysis was performed to examine the scores’ performance in predicting mortality.

Results: Of 9900 records, 11 studies were eligible, covering 12 tools. Only CURB-65 (Confusion, Urea, Respiratory Rate, Blood Pressure, Age ≥ 65 years) and CRB-65 (Confusion, Respiratory Rate, Blood Pressure, Age ≥ 65 years) were included in the meta-analysis. Both scores were effective in predicting mortality risk. Performance characteristics (with 95% Confidence Interval (CI)) at high (CURB-65 ≥ 3, CRB-65 ≥ 3) and intermediate-risk (CURB-65 ≥ 2, CRB-65 ≥ 1) cut-offs were as follows: pooled sensitivity, for CURB-65, 0.70 (95% CI = 0.25–0.94) and 0.96 (95% CI = 0.49–1.00), and for CRB-65, 0.09 (95% CI = 0.01–0.48) and 0.93 (95% CI = 0.50–0.99); pooled specificity, for CURB-65, 0.90 (95% CI = 0.73–0.96) and 0.64 (95% CI = 0.45–0.79), and for CRB-65, 0.99 (95% CI = 0.95–1.00) and 0.43 (95% CI = 0.24–0.64).

Conclusions: CURB-65 and CRB-65 appear to be valid for predicting mortality in LMICs. CRB-65 may be employed where urea levels are unavailable. There is a lack of robust evidence regarding other scores, including the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI).

Original languageEnglish
Article number1202
Number of pages17
JournalHealthcare (Switzerland)
Volume9
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Sept 2021

Keywords

  • Community-acquired pneumonia
  • Developing countries
  • Meta-analysis
  • Mortal-ity
  • Prognosis
  • Severity of illness index
  • Systematic review

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Leadership and Management
  • Health Policy
  • Health Informatics
  • Health Information Management

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