Table 1. Characterization of the sample by major features of the analysis(a total of 26555 persons over age 35 covered by statutory health insurance).

	Number of persons(n)	Percentage of sample (%)	Percentage of relevant overall population (%)*1
Age
35–44 years	7407	27.9	24.3
45–54 years	7060	26.6	24.3
55–64 years	5285	19.9	18.2
65 years and up	6803	25.6	33.2
Sex
Male	10406	39.2	45.5
Female	16149	60.8	54.5
Social status
Low	3239	12.2	22.5
Intermediate	16006	60.3	62.0
High	7184	27.1	15.5
Missing data	126	0.5	–
Educational level
Low	7772	29.3	43.3
Intermediate	12838	48.3	45.4
High	5825	21.9	11.3
Missing data	120	0.5	–
Occupational level
Low	3982	15.0	21.9
Intermediate	15411	58.0	60.1
High	7019	26.4	18.0
Missing data	143	0.5	–
Income*2
<60%	3048	11.5	15.3
≥ 60% and <150%	18099	68.2	69.5
≥ 150%	5408	20.4	15.3

^*1In relation to the adult resident population of Germany on 31.12.2008

^*2Net equivalent income (net houselhold income weighted by need according to household size and age of household members according to the new OECD scale [30]; the categorization is based on percent of median income [31])