The following variables were not related to mortality in univariate analyses in the derivation cohort: gender; fever upon admission; respiratory rate; any of the following preexisting conditions: hypertension, CAD, liver disease, non-insulin-dependent diabetes, DVT, history of CVA, chronic kidney disease, history of CHF, history of malignancy, COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease; prescribed ACE or ARB; or any of the following laboratory data: lactic acid, hemoglobin, total WBC, lymphocyte count, platelet count, BNP, procalcitonin, ferritin, d-dimer, albumin, bilirubin, or creatinine. This evidence concerns the gene NPPB and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.