In addition to optimizing the management of the high-risk patients identified in this study, further research needs to focus on whether this high-risk group can be identified with more specificity. The results of this study have demonstrated that CD scores are a sensitive tool, particularly when used in conjunction with age and planned resection for predicting patients at high risk for 30-DM after surgery. CD scores assign points on the basis of a wide variety
of medical conditions.16 Further refinement could show if specific subsets, such as patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a history of coronary artery disease, or congestive heart failure might be at specifically higher risk than, for example, a patient with a history of diabetes or liver disease.