The impact of Obesity Class in Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome: An Overlooked Condition
Abstract
Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is a condition that consists of obesity and daytime hypoventilation and is considered a diagnosis of exclusion. Clinical manifestations of patients with OHS include a BMI greater than 30, sleep-disordered breathing, and daytime hypercapnia with PaCO2 values greater than 45. Studies demonstrate that patients with undiagnosed OHS experience a decreased quality of life, higher hospitalizations rates, and are at increased risk for morbidity and mortality. Despite the knowledge of undiagnosed and untreated OHS consequences, this condition continues to go under the radar. Therefore, in this study, we aim to increase clinicians’ index of suspicion for diagnosing OHS to help in the early recognition of the condition and help prevent misdiagnosis.