Respiratory Muscle Strength in Patients With Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome (OHS) or With a Precursor of the Disease

Multimodal Measurement of Respiratory Muscle Strength by Using Volitional and Non-volitional Tests in Patients With Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome (OHS), Obesity-associated Hypoventilation and OHS-Risk-Patients to Evaluate Pathophysiological Determinants and Predictors for the Presence of a Sleep-related Hypoventilation Requiring Treatment in Obese Patients

Using an extensive set of both volitional and non-volitional tests of respiratory muscle function and strength it is the aim of this study to

• identify potential determinants for the development of obesity hypoventilation
• to identify predictors for the presence of a sleep-related hypoventilation requiring treatment in obese patients

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients with BMI > 30 and obesity-associated hypoventilation stages I - IV
• patients with BMI > 30 and elevated OHS-risk (= obstructive sleep apnea without hypercapnia)
• age:18-80 years
• capacity to consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• any other disease, that causes ventilatory insufficiency
• pacemaker, defibrillators or device for deep brain or vagus nerve stimulation
• esophagitis, Barrett-esophagus, esophageal cancer
• acute gastritis and ulcera ventriculi
• epilepsy
• any medical, psychological or other condition impairing the patient's ability to provide informed consent