Clinical heterogeneity among patients with obesity hypoventilation syndrome: therapeutic implications.
BACKGROUND
Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) can be treated with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV). Once clinical stability is achieved, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can be recommended in many cases. However, some patients respond only partially to CPAP and NIPPV is a better option for them.


OBJECTIVE
To assess treatment effectiveness in 2 groups of patients: those who could be switched to CPAP after polysomnographic titration and those who required NIPPV.


METHODS
A prospective study of 24 OHS patients was conducted, 11 were treated with CPAP and 13 with NIPPV. Morning and evening arterial blood gases were measured. Daytime and overnight oximetric recordings were performed. A post hoc analysis compared both groups.


RESULTS
Neither group exhibited deterioration on morning-to-evening blood gases. All patients in the CPAP group presented SaO(2) of less than 90% (CT90%) for <15% of the time on nocturnal and daytime recordings. In the NIPPV group, 8 patients had either daytime or nocturnal CT90% >or=15%. There were no intergroup differences regarding age, body mass index, Epworth scale values or PaO(2)/PaCO(2) prior to treatment. FVC in the NIPPV group was lower than in the CPAP group (p = 0.01). Apnea-hypopnea index was higher (56 +/- 23 vs. 36 +/- 23, p = 0.049) and baseline CT90% was lower (76 +/- 19% vs. 92 +/- 14%, p = 0.03) in the CPAP group.


CONCLUSIONS
Two patient subtypes can be identified. Those controlled with CPAP have better spirometry and a significantly higher apnea-hypopnea index. None of these patients showed daytime hypoxemia and all exhibited satisfactory overnight oxygenation. However, 61% of the NIPPV group had suboptimal oximetry results. Nocturnal/diurnal oximetries should be made to assess treatment efficacy in stable OHS patients who fail to achieve good control with CPAP.
Pérez de Llano
Luis A
LA
Respiratory Division and Sleep Disorders Unit, Hospital Xeral-Calde, Lugo, Spain. luis@ciberque.com
Golpe
Rafael
R
Piquer
Montserrat Ortiz
MO
Racamonde
Alejandro Veres
AV
Caruncho
Manuel Vázquez
MV
López
María J
MJ
Fariñas
María Carmen
MC
D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010845:Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000379:methods*; D011336:Probability; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013147:Spirometry; D016896:Treatment Outcome