Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome

Imran H Iftikhar; Joshua Roland

doi:10.1016/j.ccm.2018.01.006

Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome

Clin Chest Med. 2018 Jun;39(2):427-436. doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2018.01.006.

Authors

Imran H Iftikhar¹, Joshua Roland²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, The Emory Sleep Center, Emory University School of Medicine, 613 Michael Street, Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA. Electronic address: imran.hasan.iftikhar@emory.edu.
² Emory Sleep Medicine Fellowship, Emory Sleep Center, 12 Executive Park Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 613 Michael Street, Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.

PMID: 29779600
DOI: 10.1016/j.ccm.2018.01.006

Abstract

Obesity hypoventilation syndrome has been noted for centuries, yet we still are trying to uncover the exact mechanisms behind the disease and best treatment modalities for patients afflicted by the condition. The syndrome, which results in symptoms based on a diverse spectrum of interactions between obesity, ventilatory drive, and sleep's impact on respiration, has been shown to worsen morbidity and mortality far beyond that of more typical sleep-disordered breathing. In this article, the authors discuss current knowledge and research about the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical features, along with treatment considerations of obesity hypoventilation syndrome.

Keywords: Bilevel PAP; CPAP; Obesity hypoventilation syndrome; Obstructive sleep apnea.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome / physiopathology*