We found that, compared to independent patients, those with dependent functional status had 21% higher odds of developing the primary composite outcome of major postoperative events, even after adjusting for variables such as age, gender, comorbidities (CHF, dialysis, bleeding disorder, blood transfusion, SIRS, sepsis/shock), perioperative ventilator dependence, and laboratory markers (creatinine, albumin, WBC, and Hct). The gene discussed is ALB; the disease is systemic inflammatory response syndrome.