A case-control study is conducted to assess risk factors predicting inpatient mortality among geriatric patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Results of the study include the odds ratios shown below, which were calculated from a multivariable logistic regression equation:
Predictor Variables Odds Ratio 95% CI Hypotension 3.32 (1.65 to 5.11)
Hypoxemia (PO2 ≤ 50 mm Hg) 2.43 (1.55 to 3.32)
Lung infiltrate 1.35 (0.76 to 2.24)
When the other covariates are controlled, which of the following is the most appropriate conclusion regarding these data?
(A) The risk for inpatient mortality is greater for patients with hypotension than for those without hypotension
(B) The risk for inpatient mortality is increased more by hypoxemia than by hypotension
© The risk for inpatient mortality is increased when there is a pulmonary infiltrate present on chest x-ray at the time of admission
(D) The risk for inpatient mortality is significantly affected by all of these predictor variables