When IDA was compared with the combined group of patients with AI and ‘other anemia’ (S1 Fig), lower hazard ratios for death during the first postoperative year did no longer reach statistical significance, but were consistently lower for iron-deficiency anemia patients in most subgroups except for patients undergoing left-sided hemicolectomy and patients with normal CRP (Fig 3B). The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is anemia.