Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The impact of pelvic bone structure on fecal incontinence (FI) is unclear. We assessed the association between weight-adjusted pelvic area and FI. METHODS: This was a population-based analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2005-2006. Participants who completed the bowel health survey and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry were included. RESULTS: On multivariable analysis of 2,772 participants, the lowest pelvic area quartile predicted increased FI compared with the third (odds ratio [OR]: 2.05, confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-3.56, P = 0.014) and fourth (OR: 1.94, CI: 1.02-3.70, P = 0.045) quartiles. Sex-stratified analyses found similar association among female patients only. DISCUSSION: Small pelvic area on dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry is a potential risk factor of FI.