In the multivariate logistic regression model (N = 507, P from Hosmer and Lemeshow = 0.433), we found that albumin level on admission independently predicted a massive APE (OR 0.234, 95% CI 0.129–0.4242, P < 0.001) after adjusting for patients’ age, body mass index, peak creatinine level, white blood cell count, requirement of antibiotics during hospitalization, the presence of diabetes mellitus and RDW. The gene discussed is ALB; the disease is diabetes mellitus.