Short summary

Obesity-associated hypoventilation is defined as the combination of obesity, daytime hypercapnia, and sleep-disordered breathing in patients with no sign of neuromuscular, mechanical, or metabolic disease leading to alveolar hypoventilation. It has a mortality of 31.3 % in patients admitted to hospital with acute-in-chronic respiratory failure. Mortality can be reduced by administering positive airway pressure, either positive airway pressure or non-invasive ventilation. A focus on timely, corre

Rationale

Different things, including obesity, cause alveolar hypoventilation and chronic respiratory failure with hypercapnia. Obesity-associated hypoventilation has a high mortality untreated but can be reduced when treated with positive airway pressure. Unfortunately, patients are often misdiagnosed with either chronic obstructive lung disease or asthma. A correct diagnosis is required as early as possible. One obstacle is the unknown prevalence of obesity-associated hypoventilation in Denmark. This PhD thesis aims to elucidate the extent of obesity hypoventilation and to shed light on the need for systematic screening for hypoventilation using venous standard bicarbonate.

Description of the cohort

To groups of patients; 1) Patients suspected of obstructive sleep apnea and referred for sleep evaluation at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Esbjerg and Grinsted Sygehus, Sleep Clinic at The Department of Respiratory Medicine at Vejle Sygehus and Sleep Clinic at the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Svendborg Hospital. 2) Patients referred for The Obesity Initiative in the southern region of Denmark at The department of Endocrinology and nephrology, Esbjerg and Grindsted Hospital or The department of Endocrinology at Odense University Hospital. All included patients must have a BMI above 30 kg/m2 and no sign of neuromuscular, mechanical, or metabolic condition that could cause alveolar hypoventilation.

Data and biological material

Blood samples Data from patient journal

Collaborating researchers and departments

Department of Endocrinology and Nephrology, Esbjerg and Grindsted Hospital

• Claus Bogh Juhl
• Charlotte Røn Stolberg

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Vejle Hospital

• Eline Kristine Gantzhorn