BACKGROUND: 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 (DXA) were included.

RESULTS: On multivariable analysis of 2,772 participants, the lowest pelvic area quartile predicted increased FI compared to the third (OR:2.05, 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.

CONCLUSION: Small pelvic area on DXA is a potential risk factor for FI.