COPD+OSA: can two bad things be good for you?

Differences in Anthropometric, Sleep and Respiratory Characteristics between Hypercapnic and Normocapnic Patients with COPD-OSA Overlap Syndrome

“…In the study by Resta et al, who evaluated OS patients with and without hypercapnia separately, pO 2 and FEV 1 levels and body weight independently predicted the presence of pCO 2 in OS patients, with pO 2 being the best predictor. These findings coincide with our study results, highlighting the multifactorial genesis of hypercapnia in the group of patients with OS [ 25 ]. In summary, the current evidence, drawn mainly from OSA studies, as well as the findings from Resta et al [ 12 ] and ours, shows that impaired respiratory mechanics and reduced ventilatory drive related to obesity, as well as more severe airflow obstruction, could explain the presence of hypercapnia in OS.…”

“…Moreover, patients with OS are at higher risk for developing daytime hypoxemia compared with patients with OSA or COPD [ 13 , 16 ]. Another aspect of pathophysiology during sleep is that patients with OS are more susceptible to nocturnal hypoventilation [ 25 ]. This type of sleep hypoventilation is characterized by nocturnal and diurnal hypercapnia of greater magnitude than either disease alone [ 25 ].…”

“…Another aspect of pathophysiology during sleep is that patients with OS are more susceptible to nocturnal hypoventilation [ 25 ]. This type of sleep hypoventilation is characterized by nocturnal and diurnal hypercapnia of greater magnitude than either disease alone [ 25 ]. In our study, over one third of patients with OS had hypercapnia at the time of their initial evaluation.…”