Epidemiology

The prevalence of the hypoventilation syndrome varies with the underlying cause. Approximately 10% to 20% of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are reported to have obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS).[2][3][4] However, approximately 10% of patients with OHS have an apnoea-hypopnoea index that is normal at <5 events/hour.[2][3] In patients with congestive heart failure and a left ventricular ejection fraction of <45%, Cheyne-Stokes respiration is reported in 33% to 42% of patients, with a prevalence as high as 56% in inpatients awaiting cardiac transplantation.[5][6][7][8] In patients with underlying COPD, approximately 27% developed nocturnal hypoxaemia, but only those with associated OSA (referred to as the overlap syndrome) or with severe obstruction (FEV1 <35% predicted) may demonstrate associated hypercapnia. In patients with restrictive thoracic disorders, such as chest wall deformities (e.g., kyphoscoliosis), the prevalence of hypoventilation is dependent on the degree of spinal curvature (Cobb angle >120°), while patients with neuromuscular diseases may all eventually develop hypoventilation syndrome, depending on the underlying disease (e.g., Duchenne muscular dystrophy).

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