Evaluate the collective function of references cited together in a given text segment.
Classify their combined role into one of the following categories: 'method', 'background', or 'result'.

Text:The factors associated with the increased rate of anastomotic dehiscence are: atherosclerosis, anemia, low anastomosis site, diabetes, advanced age, bowel perforation or obstruction, and total mesorectal excision (TME) [6, 9].
Category: