Abstract
Supplement use is influenced by personal factors such as sex, knowledge, health status, and sociocultural factors. Korean women with musculoskeletal disease commonly use dietary supplements for purposes such as symptom relief. This study aimed to identify the differences in demographics, health status, and functional health literacy depending on the use of dietary supplements in Korean women with musculoskeletal disease. A cross-sectional study and secondary data analysis were designed using a representative, multilevel stratified cluster sample from the 8th wave (2019) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a national statistical survey encompassing health status, health behaviors, and food and nutrient consumption. Data on 804 women aged 20 years or older with musculoskeletal disease were included. A complex samples χ(2)-test was conducted to compare all variables such as demographics, health status, and functional health literacy. As results, significant differences were found between the dietary supplement user and non-user groups in terms of age (χ(2) = 12.21, P = .009), type of health insurance (χ(2) = 4.01, P = .049), education level (χ(2) = 42.86, P < .001), and presence of diabetes mellitus (χ(2) = 9.16, P = .005). Functional health literacy was higher in the user group than in the non-user group (χ² = 5.48, P = .050). We found that younger individuals with health insurance, higher educational levels, and functional health literacy, and who do not have diabetes are likely to use dietary supplements. Healthcare providers should continue to monitor the use of dietary supplements among women with musculoskeletal diseases to ensure their safe and effective use.