IL6 and Hypertension: The following predictors were more markedly associated with worse prognosis in studies with younger patients (mean age ≤60 years), a lower proportion of men (<60%) and better health (<50% with chronic/critical/severe condition): smoking, dyspnoea, hypertension, malignancy, diabetes, kidney and pulmonary disease, increased neutrophil and decreased platelet count, and increased interleukin-6.