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Table 1 Characteristics of participants
| Non-owners (n = 4646) | Pet owners (n = 1929) | Dog owners (n = 718) | Cat owners (n = 1199) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic variables | ||||
| Mean age in years (SD) | 66.4 (6.0) | 64.9 (5.7) | 65.1 (5.7) | 64.9 (5.7) |
| % retired | 86% (3985) | 82% (1586) | 83% (595) | 82% (978) |
| % married or cohabiting | 72% (3318) | 82% (1569) | 84% (602) | 80% (961) |
| Occupational grade: Administrative (highest) | 48% (2166/4548) | 47% (880/1857) | 47% (322/686) | 48% (555/1153) |
| Occupational grade: Professional / executive (middle) | 41% (1878/4548) | 45% (831/1857) | 48% (329/686) | 43% (493/1153) |
| Occupational grade: Clerical / support (lowest) | 11% (504/4548) | 8% (146/1857) | 5% (35/686) | 9% (105/1153) |
| Mean number of social activities (median; IQR) | 18.2 (18; 15 to 22) | 18.9 (19; 15 to 22) | 18.8 (19; 15 to 22) | 18.9 (19; 15 to 23) |
| Health & quality of life variables | ||||
| Long-standing illness (self-reported at any time) | 66% | 64% | 65% | 64% |
| Mean CASP quality of life score (median; IQR) | 43.2 (45; 39 to 49) | 42.7 (44; 38 to 49) | 42.5 (44; 38 to 49) | 42.7 (44; 38 to 49) |
| Mean SF-36 mental health (median; IQR) | 53.6 (56.1; 51.1 to 58.8) | 53.1 (55.7; 50.7 to 58.6) | 53.2 (55.9; 50.6 to 58.7) | 53.2 (55.6; 50.8 to 58.6) |
| Mean SF-36 physical health (median; IQR) | 48.4 (51.3; 44.4 to 54.6) | 48.1 (51.3; 44.0 to 54.8) | 47.8 (50.7; 43.1 to 54.7) | 48.5 (51.5; 44.8 to 54.8) |
| Mean CESD depression (median; IQR) | 7.2 (5; 2 to 10) | 7.4 (5; 2 to 10) | 7.4 (5; 1 to 11) | 7.4 (5; 2 to 10) |
| CESD > 15 | 16.6% (770/4646) | 17.0% (328/1929) | 17.6% (126/718) | 17.4% (209/1199) |
| Mean GHQ depression & anxiety (median; IQR) | 2.2 (0; 0 to 2) | 2.6 (0; 0 to 2) | 2.6 (0; 0 to 3) | 2.4 (0; 0 to 2) |
| GHQ > 2/3 | 40.9% (1901/4646) | 43.3% (835/1929) | 43.0% (309/718) | 43.6% (523/1199) |
| Mean 6 m timed walk in seconds (median; IQR) | 2.4 (2.2; 1.9 to 2.7) | 2.4 (2.2; 1.9 to 2.6) | 2.4 (2.2; 1.9 to 2.6) | 2.4 (2.2; 1.9 to 2.6) |
| Mean body mass index kg/m2 (SD) | 26.6 (4.4) | 27.1 (4.6) | 27.2 (4.6) | 27.1 (4.6) |
| Prescribed antihypertensives | 37% (1745/4642) | 35% (683/1928) | 36% (258/718) | 35% (417/1199) |
| Current smoker | 7% (326/4646) | 9% (166/1929) | 10% (71/718) | 8% (92/1199) |
| Mean general practitioner appointments in previous year (median; IQR) | 2.9 (2; 1 to 4) | 2.8 (2; 1 to 4) | 2.7 (2; 1 to 4) | 2.7 (2; 1 to 4) |
| Mean forced expiratory volume in litres (SD) | 2.7 (0.8) | 2.8 (0.8) | 2.8 (0.7) | 2.8 (0.8) |
| Mean mini mental state exam score (median; IQR) | 28.4 (29; 28 to 29) | 28.5 (29; 28 to 29) | 28.5 (29; 28 to 29) | 28.5 (29; 28 to 29) |
