Table 1.
Characteristics of the participants (n = 52 per group)
| Continuous variables | G1 Mean (SD) | G2 Mean (SD) | G3 Mean (SD) | p value |
| Functional independence (SMAF;/87) | 1.4 (1.6) a | 10.2 (4.1) b | 29.0 (7.6) | < 0.001c |
| Age (years) | 70.2 (7.0) a | 74.9 (8.4) | 75.8 (7.6) | < 0.001d |
| Associated conditions (#) | 0.8 (1.2) a | 1.5 (1.4) b | 3.3 (2.3) | < 0.001d |
| Categorical variables | Frequency (%) | Frequency (%) | Frequency (%) | |
| Gender (women) | 40 (76.9) a | 28 (53.8) | 26 (50) | 0.01e |
| Education (years): | ||||
| - 1–6 | 4 (7.7) | 14 (26.9) | 14 (26.9) | 0.28d |
| - 7–11 | 27 (51.9) | 23 (44.2) | 23 (44.2) | |
| - 12–14 | 18 (34.6) | 8 (15.4) | 9 (17.3) | |
| - > 15 | 3 (5.7) | 7 (13.5) | 6 (11.6) | |
| Residential status: | ||||
| - Owner | 29 (55.8) f | 24 (46.2) | 16 (30.8) | 0.04e |
| - Tenant | 22 (42.3) | 22 (42.3) | 20 (38.5) | |
| - Other | 1 (1.9) | 6 (11.5) | 16 (30.8) | |
| Income (Can $): | ||||
| - < 15,000 | 11 (21.2)a | 21 (40.4) | 19 (36.5) | 0.006d |
| - 15,001- 25,000 | 9 (17.3) | 13 (25.0) | 14 (26.9) | |
| - > 25,001 | 21 (40.4) | 16 (30.8) | 15 (28.8) | |
| Missing Data | 11 (21.2) | 2 (3.8) | 4 (7.7) | |
| Classification of diseases (ICD-10): | ||||
| - Diseases of the nervous system | 1 (1.9) a | 5 (9.6) b | 22 (42.3) | < 0.001e |
| - Diseases of the circulatory system | 26 (50.0) | 17 (32.7) | 7 (13.5) | |
| - Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (including hip fracture) | 1 (1.9) | 12 (23.1) | 9 (17.3) | |
| - Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue | 7 (13.5) | 12 (23.1) | 8 (15.4) | |
| - Other | 17 (32.7) | 6 (11.5) | 6 (11.5) | |
| Self-perceived health: | ||||
| - Excellent | 27 (51.9) a | 10 (19.2) b | 1 (1.9) | < 0.001c |
| - Good | 21 (40.4) | 25 (48.1) | 16 (30.8) | |
| - Fair | 4 (7.7) | 14 (26.9) | 26 (50.0) | |
| - Poor | 0 (0) | 3 (5.8) | 9 (17.3) | |
| Stability of self-perceived capacities (Yes) | 52 (100.0) a | 39 (75.0) | 42 (80.8) | 0.001 e |
| Self-perceived mood (not depressed) | 48 (92.3) f | 42 (80.8) | 35 (67.3) | 0.006e |
G1: SMAF < 5 G2: SMAF [5, 19] G3: SMAF > 19 ICD-10: International Classification of Diseases
a : G1 differs significantly from the other two groups on these variables (p < 0.017).
b : G2 differs significantly from G3 on these variables (p < 0.017).
c : p value associated with ANOVA. A significant value (p < 0.05) indicates a difference between the three groups.
d : p value associated with Welch F-ratio. A significant value (p < 0.05) indicates a difference between the three groups.
e: χ2 test
f : G1 differs significantly only from G3 on these variables (p < 0.017).