Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models identified lower serum albumin (per 1 g/dl adjusted hazard ratio (HR)  = 0.38, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.15–0.85; P  =  0.018), use of methylprednisolone pulse (adjusted HR  =  5.44, 95% CI: 1.54–20.0; P  =  0.010), and OC (adjusted HR  = 5.31, 95% CI: 1.86–15.8; P  =  0.002) as significant predictors of severe infection. Here, ALB is linked to infection.