Detection Rate of Decreased Intrinsic Capacity of Older Adults: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objectives: To systematically assess the prevalence of decreased intrinsic capacity in older adults, stratified by relevant factors such as country, sex, sample source, and region.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, PsychINFO, CINAHL, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, Wanfang Database, Weipu Database, and Chinese Biomedical Database to collect studies published on the decline of intrinsic capacity in older adults before February 24, 2023. The results of the study were analyzed using the Stata 15.0 software package, using a random-effects model to estimate the pooled detection rate of decreased intrinsic capacity in older adults. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool was used to assess the quality of all included studies.

Results: A total of 16 studies (67,881 older adults in 4 countries) were included. The results showed that the pooled detection rate of decreased intrinsic capacity in older adults was 76.1% (95% CI: 68.0%-84.2%). The 16 studies had obvious heterogeneity, and further subgroup analysis showed that the detection rate of decreased intrinsic capacity in older adults was higher in developed countries, females, and hospitals. Thirteen studies found that the pooled detection rate was 73.7% (95%: CI 64.5%-82.8%) for decreased intrinsic capacity in Chinese older adults, with higher rates in mainland China and Hong Kong than in Taiwan.

Conclusions: Our study suggests that intrinsic capacity declines more rapidly in older adults. Understanding the degree of decline in the intrinsic capacity of older adults will help to provide an important basis for the formulation and development of care policies for older adults.

Trial Registration Number: PROSPERO (CRD42023402680).