Definition

Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) causes poor breathing in some people with obesity. It leads to lower oxygen and higher carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

Alternative Names

Pickwickian syndrome

Causes

The exact cause of OHS is not known. It is believed that OHS results from a defect in the brain's control over breathing. Excess weight against the chest wall also makes it harder for the muscles to draw in a deep breath and to breathe quickly enough. This worsens the brain's breathing control. As a result, the blood contains too much carbon dioxide and not enough oxygen.

During stable conditions, people are not acidemic as the kidneys have enough time to correct the acidity caused by the high carbon dioxide.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of OHS are due to lack of sleep and include:

• Poor sleep quality
• Sleep apnea
• Daytime sleepiness
• Depression
• Headaches
• Tiredness

Symptoms of low blood oxygen level (chronic hypoxia) and high carbon dioxide can occur. Symptoms include shortness of breath or feeling tired after little effort.

Exams and Tests

People with OHS have obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m² or greater). A physical exam may show:

• Bluish color in the lips, fingers, toes, or skin (cyanosis)
• Reddish skin
• Signs of right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale), such as swollen legs or feet, shortness of breath, or feeling tired after little effort
• Signs of extreme sleepiness

Tests used to help diagnose OHS include:

• Arterial blood gas
• Chest x-ray or CT scan of the chest to rule out other possible causes
• Lung function tests (pulmonary function tests)
• Sleep study (polysomnography)
• Echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart)

Health care providers can tell OHS from obstructive sleep apnea because a person with OHS has a high carbon dioxide level in their blood when awake.

Treatment

Treatment involves breathing assistance using special machines (mechanical ventilation). Options include:

• Noninvasive mechanical ventilation such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) through a mask that fits tightly over the nose or nose and mouth (mainly for sleep)
• Oxygen therapy
• Breathing help through an opening in the neck (tracheostomy) for severe cases

Treatment is started in the hospital or as an outpatient.

Other treatments are aimed at weight loss, which can reverse OHS, although it is often difficult to achieve.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Untreated, OHS can lead to serious heart and blood vessel problems, severe disability, or death.

Possible Complications

OHS complications related to a lack of sleep may include:

• Depression, agitation, irritability
• Increased risk for accidents or mistakes at work
• Problems with intimacy and sex

OHS can also cause heart problems, such as:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale)
• High blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension)

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if you are very tired during the day or have any other symptoms that suggest OHS.

Prevention

Maintain a healthy weight. Use your CPAP or BiPAP treatment as your provider prescribed.

References

Malhotra A, Powell F. Disorders of ventilatory control. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 74.

Mokhlesi B, Tamisier R. Obesity-hypoventilation syndrome. In: Kryger M, Roth T, Goldstein CA, Dement WC, eds. Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 138.

Mokhlesi B, Masa JF, Brozek JL, et al. Evaluation and management of obesity hypoventilation syndrome. An official American Thoracic Society clinical practice guideline. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2019;200(3):e6-e24. PMID: 31368798 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31368798/.