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. 2024 Oct 9;47:102897. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2024.102897

Table 2.

Distribution of demographic, lifestyle, and socioeconomic characteristics among 1,268 older people with and without intrinsic capacity impairment, Tainan, Taiwan, 2022.

Characteristics No impairment
Intrinsic capacity impairment
P valuea
N (%) N (%)
Total respondent 832 436



Demographic characteristics
 Age
  60–69 years 394 (47.36) 101 (23.22) <0.001
  70–79 years 364 (43.75) 188 (43.22)
  ≥80 years 74 (8.89) 146 (33.56)



 Sex
  Men 428 (51.44) 189 (43.35) 0.006
  Women 404 (48.56) 247 (56.65)



 Current marital status
  Married 619 (74.40) 289 (66.28) 0.002
  Others (widowed/divorced/never married) 213 (25.60) 147 (33.72)



 Live alone
  Yes 95 (11.42) 52 (11.93) 0.37
  No 737 (88.58) 383 (87.84)



 Religion
  No religion 108 (12.98) 54 (12.39) 0.35
  Buddhist 287 (34.50) 162 (37.16)
  Taoism 300 (36.06) 164 (37.61))
  Others 137 (16.47) 56 (12.84)



Lifestyle
 Cigarette smoking (≥1 pack per month)b
  Current or former 175 (21.03) 84 (19.26) 0.46
  Never 657 (78.97) 352 (80.73)



 Alcohol consumption (≥once per week)b
  Current or former 85 (10.25) 49 (11.24) 0.57
  Never 747 (89.78) 387 (88.76)



 Betel nut chewing (≥once per week)b
  Current or former 50 (6.01) 33 (7.57) 0.29
  Never 782 (93.99) 403 (92.43)



 Exercise (any intensity)
  Any frequency 694 (83.41) 291 (66.74) <0.001
  No exercise 138 (16.59) 145 (33.26)



 Vigorous exercise per weekc
  ≥1 day 206 (24.76) 40 (9.17) <0.001
  <1 day 626 (75.24) 396 (90.83)



Socioeconomic factors
 Educational attainment
  Uneducated 32 (3.86) 63 (14.62) <0.001
  Primary School 236 (28.47) 181 (42.00)
  Junior School 132 (15.92) 56 (12.99)
  Senior high school or above 429 (51.75) 131 (30.39)



Currently workingd
  Yes 224 (26.92) 59 (13.53) <0.001
  No 608 (73.08) 377 (86.47)



Financial independencee
  Yes 552 (66.35) 220 (50.46) <0.001
  No 280 (33.65) 216 (49.54)
a

The chi-square test was used to compare differences between participants with and without intrinsic capacity impairment.

b

Considered only if sustained for at least six months, according to the provided definitions (e.g., ≥1 pack per month, ≥once per week).

c

Defined as physical activity that lasted at least 30 min and caused sweating, rapid breathing, and an increased heart rate.

d

Defined as engaging in paid employment or self-employment, including part-time jobs.

e

Yes indicates currently self-supporting; no indicates receiving financial support from others, such as family, government, or friends.