Table 2 Predictors for the use of complementary alternative medicine and some other services for low back pain.
Description of CAM service received | Frequency n (%) | Predictor variable | Odds ratio (95% CI) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Local heat | 476 (34%) | Rehabilitation | 2.8 (1.2–6.9) | 0.002 |
Specialist consultation | 1.9 (0.8–4.5) | 0.16 | ||
Presence of read flags | 0.7 (0.2–3.0) | 0.63 | ||
Massage | 417 (31%) | Rehabilitation | 3.8 (2.5–5.4) | <0.0001 |
Specialist consultation | 2.4 (1.9–3.1) | <0.0001 | ||
Chronicity* | ||||
Recurrent LBP | 1.4 (0.9–2.0) | 0.42 | ||
Chronic LBP | 1.6 (1.1–23) | 0.02 | ||
Spinal manipulation | 352 (26%) | Specialist consultation | 5.8 (4.3–7.9) | <0.0001 |
GP offering spinal manipulation | 5.8 (3.1–10) | <0.0001 | ||
Age group** | ||||
Age 40–60 | 0.7 (0.5–1.1) | 0.07 | ||
Age > 60 | 0.3 (0.2–0.5) | 0.0009 | ||
Electrotherapy | 232 (17%) | Rehabilitation | 2.4 (1.7–3.7) | <0.0001 |
Specialist consultation | 1.9 (1.4–2.5) | <0.0001 | ||
Education*** | ||||
10 years | 1.1(0.7–1.7) | 0.36 | ||
< 10 years | 1.6(1.1–2.4) | 0.006 | ||
Acupuncture | 178 (13%) | Specialist consultation | 3.8 (1.6–5.8) | <0.0001 |
GP offering acupuncture | 3.0 (2.1–4.4) | <0.0001 | ||
Chronicity* | ||||
Recurrent LBP | 1.4 (0.8–2.5) | 0.63 | ||
Chronic LBP | 2.5 (1.4–4.3) | <0.0001 | ||
Traction | 140 (10%) | Specialist consultation | 2.9 (1.9–4.5) | <0.0001 |
Rehabilitation | 1.6 (1.1–2.7) | 0.03 | ||
Chronicity* | ||||
Recurrent LBP | 1.5 (0.8–2.7) | 0.79 | ||
Chronic LBP | 2.0 (1.1–3.6) | 0.01 | ||
TENS§ | 121 (9%) | Specialist consultation | 3.1 (2.0–4.9) | <0.0001 |
Functional capacity < 70 | 1.9 (1.3–2.9) | 0.001 | ||
GP offering TENS3 | 1.7 (1.1–2.6) | 0.002 | ||
Homoeopathy | 41 (3%) | Being female | 2.8 (1.3–6.1) | 0.009 |
Specialist consultation | 2.5 (1.2–5.2) | 0.012 | ||
Pain on a VAS§§ > 5 | 2.0 (0.9–4.0) | 0.06 |