title: A closer examination of the interaction among risk factors for low back pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the interactions of risk factors and identify their most powerful discrimination pathway for the occurrence of low back pain (LBP).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Taiwanese population of 30 to 64 years old.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-reported question, "Have you experienced LBP within the last 3 months?" was used to evaluate LBP. The study variables included demographics (age, gender, occupation, education level, marital status, and household income), biometric health measures (bone mineral density and body mass index), dietary habits (weekly milk, coffee, tea, and soybean consumption), and other lifestyle factors (smoking habits, alcohol consumption, betel nut chewing, body weight control, exercise regularity, and stress management).
  
  
  METHODS
  Logistic regression and classification tree analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 969 Taiwanese participants were analyzed. Primary logistic regression analysis identified three critical risk factors (gender, bone mineral density, and exercise regularity) for the occurrence of LBP. By classification tree analysis, demographic factors, dietary habits, and lifestyle factors had modifying effects on LBP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Various factors contribute to the risk of LBP. Interactions between risk factors should be considered when developing future strategies for the prevention and management of LBP.
authors.forename: Hui-Chuan
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Huan
authors.forename: Hsiu-Ju
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Kuan-Chia
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Hsiao-Yean
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Jui-Hung
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Hong-Chieh
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008019:Life Style; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Classification Tree, Low Back Pain, Multiple Interaction, Risk Factors, Prevention Research. Manuscript format: research; Health focus: medical self care; Outcome measure: occurrence of low back pain; Research purpose: relationship testing; Setting: community; Strategy: behavior change; Study design: cross-sectional study; Target population; Target population circumstances: education/income level; middle-aged and older adults