Size of Pelvic Outlet as a Potential Risk Factor of Fecal Incontinence: A Population-Based Exploratory Analysis.

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.