An Overview on Obesity hypoventilation syndrome

Abstract

Background: Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is a serious and underdiagnosed disorder characterized by obesity, chronic daytime hypercapnia, and sleep-disordered breathing in the absence of other causes of alveolar hypoventilation. OHS is associated with significant cardiopulmonary morbidity, increased healthcare utilization, and higher mortality compared with eucapnic obese individuals and patients with obstructive sleep apnea alone. Early identification of OHS remains challenging, particularly in resource-limited settings, highlighting the need for reliable and easily accessible diagnostic indicators.