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Table 4 Participant health characteristics for those who visited a chiropractor comparing those who reported a back problem (back problem, chronic back pain or sciatica) in last 12 months to those who did not (N = 1,129)

From: Who uses Australian chiropractic services?

 

Visited chiropractor and had self reported back problem in the last 12 months1

  
 

No (N = 586)

Yes (N = 543)

  

Participant health characteristics

Number

%

Number

%

OR (95% CI)2

P

Health rate (SF 12) [18]:

      

- Fair/poor

82

14

83

15

REF

0.56

- Good/excellent

498

86

453

85

0.90 (0.63 - 1.29)

 

Current smoker

87

15

114

21

1.53 (1.15 - 2.03)

0.003

Hazardous drinking [19]

99

17

98

18

1.09 (0.79 - 1.51)

0.61

Long term health problem limits daily activities

145

25

200

38

1.78 (1.33 - 2.37)

<0.001

Arthritis in last 12 months

60

10

123

23

2.57 (1.91 - 3.46)

<0.001

Cardiovascular disorder in last 12 months

      

Stroke

2

0

4

1

2.14 (0.46 - 10.02)

0.34

Hypertension

71

12

89

16

1.43 (1.05 - 1.96)

0.02

Heart disease

8

1

19

3

2.59 (1.03 - 6.53)

0.04

Lipid disorder

57

10

63

12

1.21 (0.87 - 1.67)

0.26

Respiratory disorder in last 12 months

      

Chronic sinusitis

26

4

53

10

2.33 (1.35 - 4.05)

0.003

Asthma

44

8

69

13

1.78 (1.21 - 2.61)

0.003

Emphysema

9

2

11

2

1.28 (0.47 - 3.52)

0.63

Dermatitis in last 12 months

38

6

61

11

1.81 (1.12 - 2.92)

0.02

Diabetes in last 12 months

28

5

26

5

1.00 (0.57 - 1.73)

0.99

Cancer in last 12 months

14

2

12

2

0.91 (0.49 - 1.68)

0.76

Depression in last 12 months

81

14

125

23

1.85 (1.30 - 2.64)

0.001

Depression and antidepressant use in last 12 months

32

6

62

12

2.23 (1.27 - 3.90)

0.005

Told by Dr you have depression

158

30

179

36

1.30 (0.99 - 1.71)

0.06

Anxiety in last 12 months

81

14

120

22

1.76 (1.22 - 2.55)

0.002

Told by doctor you have anxiety

127

25

126

26

1.08 (0.84 - 1.40)

0.52

Afraid of partner

97

17

87

16

0.95 (0.71 - 1.28)

0.73

Medication use in last 12 months:

      

- Analgesics3

121

21

157

29

1.56 (1.17- 2.08)

0.003

- Medications for physical problems4

210

36

170

32

0.81 (0.64 - 1.03)

0.008

- Depression medications

71

12

79

15

1.24 (0.85 - 1.82)

0.23

- Sedatives

34

6

43

8

1.39 (0.81 - 2.38)

0.24

- Other medications5

119

29

135

35

1.36 (1.03 - 1.78)

0.03

- Complementary & alternative medication6

187

32

206

38

1.30 (1.02 - 1.64)

0.03

  1. 1. Denominators may vary due to missing data.
  2. 2. Odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CI) and P values using logistic regression using generalised estimating equations with robust standard errors.
  3. 3. Includes painkillers & arthritis medication.
  4. 4. Includes blood pressure, cholesterol lowering & asthma medication.
  5. 5. Includes contraceptives and indigestion medication.
  6. 6. Includes vitamins, minerals and herbs.
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