They concluded that independent predictors of severe outcome were age between 55 and 64 years, chronic lung disease (not asthma, non-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), neurological disease, registered obesity, late admission (≥ 5 days after illness onset), pneumonia, C-reactive protein ≥ 100 mg/liter, and the need for supplemental oxygen or intravenous fluid replacement on admission. Here, CRP is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.