Establishing a theoretical basis for research in musculoskeletal epidemiology: a proposal for the use of biopsychosocial theory in investigations of back pain and smoking

Biopsychosocial theory is well suited for public health and epidemiological studies on musculoskeletal conditions, such as the relation between back pain and smoking, and may be useful to address the multivariable inputs for this association. Although it is not a perfect model, it provides theoretical guidance to inform the research question, an element of research design that is lacking in modern-day epidemiologic reports.