Multiple stepwise regression showed that the cortisol level at admission was independently positively correlated with the ACTH level at admission (standardized β=0.354, P<0.001), the presence of infection (standardized β=0.226, P=0.005), DBP (standardized β=0.219, P=0.003), and blood glucose at admission (standardized β=0.208, P=0.006), and independently negatively correlated with the bicarbonate level (standardized β=-0.341, P<0.001). Here, POMC is linked to infection.