However, patients who measured positive for nRBC during ICU treatment had significantly greater disease severity, indicated by less mild and moderate but more severe ARDS, higher maximum disease severity scores, higher maximal IL-6 and PCT levels, lower minimal PaO2/FiO2, greater need for mechanical non-invasive or invasive ventilation, and greater need for ECMO therapy. This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and acute respiratory distress syndrome.