RAPID Score for Pleural Infection
Predicts 3-month mortality in adults with pleural infection (empyema / complicated parapneumonic effusion). Derived in MIST1, validated in MIST2 and prospectively in the PILOT study.
Score interpretation
RAPID 0–2: 3-month mortality 2.3% in the PILOT validation (Corcoran 2020).
→ Chest tube drainage and antibiotics per BTS guidance; respiratory review.
RAPID 3–4: 3-month mortality 9.2% (PILOT).
→ Inpatient management. Chest drain ± intrapleural tPA+DNase (MIST2 protocol). Respiratory medicine. Surgical review if not resolving in 5–7 days.
RAPID 5–7: 3-month mortality 29.3% (PILOT).
→ Urgent aggressive management. Early VATS/surgical decortication. Intrapleural fibrinolytics. Nutritional support. Goals-of-care discussion.
Interpretation bands for the RAPID Score. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Rahman NM, et al. A clinical score (RAPID) to identify those at risk for poor outcome at presentation in patients with pleural infection. Chest. 2014;145(4):848–855.
- Corcoran JP, et al. Prospective validation of the RAPID clinical risk prediction score in adult patients with pleural infection: the PILOT study. Eur Respir J. 2020;56(5):2000130.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Methotrexate (Dermatology — Psoriasis) · Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic / Immunosuppressant
- Tolfenamic acid · NSAID (anthranilic acid)
- Insulin Aspart · Rapid-Acting Insulin Analogue (Bolus)
- Insulin Lispro · Rapid-acting Insulin Analogue
- Insulin Glulisine · Rapid-acting Insulin Analogue
- Insulin aspart · Rapid-acting analogue insulin
- Acute Asthma in Adults · BTS/SIGN British Guideline on Asthma 2019; NICE NG80
- Pulmonary Embolism Assessment · NICE NG158; ESC 2019 PE Guidelines
- Acute Exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) · NICE NG115; GOLD 2024
- Spontaneous Pneumothorax (Adult) · BTS Pleural Disease 2023
- Atypical Pneumonia (Legionella / Mycoplasma / Chlamydophila) · BTS 2023; IDSA
- COPD Exacerbation Management · NICE NG115 / GOLD 2024
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.