The Predictors of Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract

Background: As obesity increases, the frequency ofobstructive sleep apnea and obesity hypoventilationsyndrome increases also. However, obesityhypoventilation syndrome frequency is not known,as capnography and arterial blood gas analysis are notroutinely performed in sleep laboratories.Aims: To investigate the frequency and predictors ofobesity hypoventilation syndrome in obese subjects.Study Design: Retrospective clinical studyMethods: Obese subjects who had arterial bloodgas analysis admitted to the sleep laboratory andpolysomnography were retrospectively analyzed.Subjects with restrictive (except obesity) and obstructivepulmonary pathologies were excluded. Demographics,Epworth-Sleepiness-Scale scores, polysomnographicdata, arterial blood gas analysis, and spirometricmeasurements were recorded.Results: Of the 419 subjects, 45.1% had obesityhypoventilation syndrome. Apnea hypopnea index(p