The mean time between onset of symptoms and hospitalisation was 9.7 days (sd, 4.3 days). The mean age was 57.6 years (sd, 13.7 years; range, 18-87 years), and 97 (54.2%) were men. Of 179 patients, 21 (11.7%) worsened in a short period of time and died of multiple organ failure, especially respiratory failure and heart failure, and the mean duration from admission to death was 13.7?days (sd, 8.3 day; rang, 3 - 33 days)