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Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025)

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December 31, 2025

Copyright (c) 2025 Amal Bader Almutairi, Khawla Yousef Alqallaf, Hend Abdullah Hassan Hassan, Asma Saud Alanazi, Mai Fhaid Alshammari, Amani Mohammed Hassan Sholan, Murdi Ali Naser Al Dawsri, Abdurhman Majed Ali Al Dawsary, Bader Fayz Mohammad Al Dawseri, Misfer Marzoq Mohammad Al Dawseri, Fahad Ali Ali Sharahili, Rahaf Ali Alqahtani

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Multidisciplinary Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches in Obesity-Hypoventilation Syndrome-An Updated Review For Radiologists and Respiratory Professionals

https://doi.org/10.64483/202522660
Amal Bader Almutairi
Ad Diriyah Hospital,Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Khawla Yousef Alqallaf
Ad Diriyah Hospital,Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Hend Abdullah Hassan Hassan
Health Charity For Patient Care (Enaya),Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Asma Saud Alanazi
King Salman Specialist Hospital – Health Cluster,Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Mai Fhaid Alshammari
King Salman Specialist Hospital – Hail Health Cluster,Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Amani Mohammed Hassan Sholan
Damad General Hospital,Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Murdi Ali Naser Al Dawsri
Wadi Al-Dawasir General Hospital – Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Abdurhman Majed Ali Al Dawsary
Wadi Al-Dawasir General Hospital – Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Bader Fayz Mohammad Al Dawseri
Wadi Al-Dawasir General Hospital – Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Misfer Marzoq Mohammad Al Dawseri
Wadi Al-Dawasir General Hospital – Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Fahad Ali Ali Sharahili
Alhurrath General Hospital – Jazan,Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Rahaf Ali Alqahtani
Riyadh – Imam Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Hospital,Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia

Corresponding Author(s) : Amal Bader Almutairi

Amabm1994@Gmail.Com

Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025)

Abstract

Background: Obesity-hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is a complex disorder characterized by daytime hypercapnia, severe obesity, and sleep-disordered breathing. Its pathogenesis involves mechanical respiratory load, impaired ventilatory drive, and neurohormonal dysregulation, often coexisting with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). 


Aim: To provide an updated multidisciplinary review emphasizing diagnostic strategies and evidence-based therapeutic approaches relevant to radiologists, pulmonologists, and sleep specialists.


Methods: This narrative review synthesizes current literature on OHS epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnostic modalities, and management, incorporating data on PAP therapy, weight-loss interventions, cardiopulmonary complications, and multidisciplinary care. 


Results: OHS is strongly associated with severe obesity and OSA, with significant cardiopulmonary morbidity including pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure. Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy remains the cornerstone of management, improving gas exchange, reducing hypercapnia, and lowering hospitalization and mortality rates. Weight-loss interventions, including structured programs and bariatric surgery, significantly improve ventilation and OSA severity, though complete resolution is uncommon. Persistent cases may require adjunctive pharmacologic therapy or tracheostomy.


Conclusion: Early recognition, structured evaluation, and comprehensive multimodal therapy—including PAP, weight management, and specialist collaboration—are essential to prevent long-term cardiopulmonary complications and optimize outcomes in OHS.

Keywords

Obesity-hypoventilation syndrome, OSA, hypercapnia, PAP therapy, bariatric surgery, respiratory failure, pulmonary hypertension.
Almutairi, A. B., Khawla Yousef Alqallaf, Hend Abdullah Hassan Hassan, Asma Saud Alanazi, Mai Fhaid Alshammari, Amani Mohammed Hassan Sholan, … Rahaf Ali Alqahtani. (2025). Multidisciplinary Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches in Obesity-Hypoventilation Syndrome-An Updated Review For Radiologists and Respiratory Professionals. Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 2(2), 3521–3530. https://doi.org/10.64483/202522660
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