Quantitative variables are expressed as median and (25th, 75th percentiles) interval. *Qualitative variables are expressed as percentages (%). APACHE-II: Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II; SOFA: Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment; CRP: C-reactive protein; PCT: procalcitonin; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; DM: diabetes mellitus. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is diabetes mellitus.