Bowel habits and gender correlate with colon length measured by CT colonography

CT colonography enables three-dimensional measurement of colon length. However, previous studies using CT colonography have not examined the association with gender, age, physique, a history of laparotomy and bowel habits, all possible contributory factors to colon length. The aim of this study is to investigate factors associated with colon length.

We conducted a post hoc analysis based on data obtained from a previous multi-center trial including 321 patients with positive fecal immunochemical tests who underwent CT colonography. Colon length was measured using a computer-generated center line and was divided at the iliac crest level into the distal and proximal colons. Bowel habits were classified into three groups: A-daily; B-once every 2 or 3 days; and C-less than once in 3 days. Statistical comparison was made using one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's correction.

A total of 295 patients were analyzed. The entire colon length (cm, mean ± standard deviation) of individual patients was 150.3 ± 18.5 cm and ranged from 109.7 to 195.9 cm. The female colon was significantly longer than the male colon (154.3 ± 18.1 cm vs. 147.1 ± 18.3 cm; p = 0.022). Colon length showed trends associated with age (p = 0.18) and a history of laparotomy (p = 0.14). According to bowel habits, the entire colon measured 147.4 ± 17.9 in group A, 154.7 ± 18.5 in group B and 158.6 ± 18.3 in group C, and significant differences were observed for "A vs. C" (p = 0.002) and "A vs. B" (p = 0.014). In subgroup analysis by colon segment, the proximal colon trended similarly to the entire colon while there were no trends for the distal colon.

This study has clearly demonstrated that bowel habits and gender both correlate with the length of the entire colon measured by CT colonography, and in particular, the proximal colon. Using CT colonography, we measured the colon length in 295 patients. The entire colon length was 150.3 ± 18.5 cm on average. Females and constipated (less frequent defecation) patients have a significantly longer colon, and in particular, the proximal colon. Colon length showed trends associated with age and a history of laparotomy.