Table 1.
Characteristics of the study population at baseline (Military Health Examination), 1967–1994 and follow-up (Health 2000 Survey), 2000–2001
| N | Mean (95% CI) | Prevalence (%, 95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | At baseline | 1385 | 19.7 (19.6 to 19.8) | |
| At follow-up | 1385 | 40.2 (39.9 to 40.5) | ||
| BMI (kg/m2) | At baseline | 1384 | 22.3 (22.1 to 22.4) | |
| At follow-up | 1385 | 26.5 (26.3 to 26.7) | ||
| Regular smokers | At baseline | 303/880 | 34.4 (31.3 to 37.7) | |
| At follow-up | 454/1380 | 32.9 (30.4 to 35.5) | ||
| Physically active at leisure time | At baseline | 447/846 | 52.8 (49.3 to 56.2) | |
| At follow-up | 1008/1370 | 73.6 (71.2 to 75.9) | ||
| Spinal symptoms and/or signs | At baseline | 208/1385 | 15.0 (13.2 to 17.0) | |
| Low back symptoms | At baseline | 113/1385 | 8.2 (6.8 to 9.7) | |
| Waist circumference | At follow-up | 1380 | 95.3 (94.8 to 95.9) | |
| Hip circumference | At follow-up | 1380 | 99.1 (98.7 to 99.5) | |
| Education (years) | At follow-up | 1366 | 12.8 (12.6 to 13.0) | |
| LBP, preceding 30 days | At follow-up | |||
| Non-specific | 393/1385 | 28.4 (26.0 to 30.8) | ||
| Radiating | 162/1385 | 11.7 (10.1 to 13.5) | ||
| Physician-diagnosed disorders* | At follow-up | |||
| Chronic low back syndrome | 100/1350 | 7.4 (6.1 to 8.9) | ||
| Sciatica | 58/1350 | 4.3 (3.3 to 5.5) |
*Information is missing for 35 men.
BMI, body mass index; LBP, low back pain.