Ece Açıkbaş, Özge Ertan Harputlu, Gökşen Kuran Aslan, Buket Akıncı, Bedia Fulya Çalıkoğlu, Esen Kıyan
Bezmialem Science - 2025;13(4):325-333
Objective: Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is characterized by respiratory dysfunction in addition to obesity and may adversely affect exercise capacity, peripheral muscle strength and quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of OHS on exercise capacity, peripheral muscle strength and quality of life in obese individuals. Methods: A total of 64 participants, 32 with OHS and 32 with simple obesity, were included in the study. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Clinical data included polysomnography results and comorbid conditions (Charlson comorbidity index). Exercise capacity was assessed using the six-minute walk test, and peripheral muscle strength was assessed using a digital hand dynamometer and a hydraulic hand dynamometer. Quality of life was assessed using the Nottingham health profile (NHP) and sleep quality using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Body composition and circumference measurements were recorded. Results: The obese group had significantly better six-minute walk distance [500.44+/-40.46; p=0.021; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.59] and right/left quadriceps strength (186.66+/-35.14; p=0.004; 95% CI=0.75)/(184.56+/-34.56; p=0.005; 95% CI=0.74). The OHS group had significantly higher NHP total score (243.13+/-105.54; p<0.001; 95% CI=1.75) and subscores [energy level (58.90+/-35.51; p=0.001; 95% CI=0.87), emotional status (31.81+/-29.73; p=0.029; 95% CI=0.56), sleep (43.60+/-26.01; p<0.001; 95% CI=1.96), PSQI total (8.66+/-3.98; p=0.001; 95% CI=2.14) and neck circumference (42.62+/-3.77; p=0.025; 95% CI=0.57). No statistically significant differences were observed in the other outcome measures (p>0.005). Conclusion: These findings suggest that people with OHS have lower exercise capacity and muscle strength, and poorer quality of life and sleep than those with simple obesity. This highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve physical function and overall well-being in patients with OHS.
