On univariable analysis (Table 4), presence of cancer (p = 0.027), age ≥60 years (p = 0.001), need of oxygen during hospitalisation (p < 0.001), infiltrates on X‐ray (p < 0.001), baseline ALC<1 × 109/L (p = 0.023), baseline CRP>1 mg% (p = 0.027), abnormal baseline PCT > 0.05 ng/ml (p = 0.004) and elevated IL‐6 >6 pg/ml (p = 0.036) were found to be adversely associated with increased mortality. This evidence concerns the gene CRP and cancer.