Multivariate Cox regression analysis in the adjusted II model demonstrated that, in addition to ferritin [0.8 (0.7, 0.9), <0.001], WBC [1.3 (1.1, 1.5), 0.013], IL-6 [1.4 (1.2, 1.7), <0.001], procalcitonin [1.2 (1.0, 1.3), 0.031], and C-reactive protein [1.2 (1.1, 1.4), 0.002] contributed to a higher risk of in-hospital mortality in non-CHF patients but not in CHF patients (Table 4). Here, IL6 is linked to congestive heart failure.