Who uses Australian chiropractic services?

French, Simon D; Densley, Konstancja; Charity, Melanie J; Gunn, Jane

doi:10.1186/2045-709X-21-31

Chiropractic & Manual Therapies

Table 2 Participant health characteristics (N = 7,519)

From: Who uses Australian chiropractic services?

	Visit to chiropractor in last 12 months¹
	No (N = 6385)		Yes (N = 1134)
Participant health characteristics	Number	%	Number	%	OR (95% CI)²	P
Health rate (SF 12) [18]:
- Fair/poor	1056	17	165	15	REF	0.16
- Good/excellent	5253	83	956	85	1.16 (0.94 –1.43)
Current smoker	1153	18	202	18	0.97 (0.82 – 1.15)	0.73
Hazardous drinking [19]	1033	16	197	17	1.06 (0.92 – 1.23)	0.42
Long term health problem limits daily activities	2021	33	345	31	0.94 (0.84 – 1.06)	0.29
Back problem in last 12 months³	1542	24	543	48	2.90 (2.53 – 3.31)	<0.001
Arthritis in last 12 months	1142	18	183	16	0.88 (0.74 – 1.06)	0.19
Cardiovascular disorder in last 12 months⁴	1543	24	241	21	0.84 (0.72 – 0.98)	0.03
Respiratory disorder in last 12 months⁵	948	15	190	17	1.15 (0.97 – 1.38)	0.12
Dermatitis in last 12 months	414	7	99	9	1.38 (1.12 – 1.71)	0.003
Diabetes in last 12 months	333	5	54	5	0.92 (0.68 – 1.24)	0.58
Cancer in last 12 months	162	3	26	2	0.91 (0.61 – 1.35)	0.63
Depression in last 12 months	1138	18	206	18	1.03 (0.86 – 1.23)	0.78
Depression and antidepressant use in last 12 months	591	9	94	8	0.89 (0.75 – 1.05)	0.15
Told by Dr you have depression	1821	31	337	32	1.07 (0.92 – 1.24)	0.38
Anxiety in last 12 months	1040	16	201	18	1.11 (0.96 – 1.29)	0.16
Told by doctor you have anxiety	1382	25	254	26	1.05 (0.90 – 1.23)	0.53
Afraid of partner	1003	16	184	16	1.02 (0.84 – 1.24)	0.81
Medication use in last 12 months:
- Analgesics⁶	1677	27	279	25	0.92 (0.80 – 1.07)	0.28
- Medications for physical problems⁷	2412	38	381	34	0.83 (0.72 – 0.95)	0.009
- Depression medications	876	14	150	13	0.97 (0.79 – 1.19)	0.77
- Sedatives	466	7	77	7	0.95 (0.79 – 1.15)	0.61
- Other medications⁸	1476	33	256	32	0.96 (0.80 – 1.16)	0.70
- Complementary & alternative medication⁹	1488	24	395	35	1.79 (1.54 – 2.07)	<0.001

1. Denominators may vary due to missing data.
2. Odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CI) and P values using logistic regression using generalised estimating equations with robust standard errors.
3. Includes back problem, chronic back pain or sciatica.
4. Includes stroke, hypertension, heart disease, lipid disorder.
5. Includes sinusitis, asthma and emphysema.
6. Includes painkillers and arthritis medication.
7. Includes blood pressure, cholesterol lowering & asthma medication.
8. Includes contraceptives and indigestion medication.
9. Includes vitamins, minerals and herbs.

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ISSN: 2045-709X

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