Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Obesity may result in increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and affect clinical outcomes of patients with IAH and/or ACS. This study aims to establish the impact of obesity on the clinical outcomes of IAH and ACS patients. A systematic search of Medline, Embase, and Scopus was performed in August 2022. Nine studies comprising 9938 patients were included. There were 65.1% males (n = 6250/9596). Patient demographics, comorbidities, and morbidities were analyzed in correlation with obesity and IAP. Obese patients had a higher risk of IAH (OR 8.5, p < 0.001). Obesity was associated with the need for renal replacement therapy, intensive care unit-acquired infections, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, acute respiratory distress syndrome, length of hospital stay, and mortality. This review highlights the lacunae in the existing literature to underpin the direct impact of obesity, independent of obesity-associated comorbidities, on the clinical outcomes of IAH and ACS.
Keywords: abdominal compartment syndrome; intra-abdominal hypertension; intra-abdominal pressure; obesity.