The effect of positive airway pressure therapy on neurocognitive functions, depression and anxiety in obesity hypoventilation syndrome

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to evaluate the presence of neurocognitive dysfunctions, depression and anxiety and the effect of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy on these alterations in Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome (OHS) patients.MethodsTen healthy normal and obese controls, 10 OHS and 10 OSAS patients were included in the study. Short form-36, Beck Depression Scale and State-Trade Anxiety Inventory (STAI 1-2) were performed. Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MOCA), Enhanced Cued Recall (ECR) and Mini Mental Test (MMT) were used for neurocognitive evaluation. All tests were repeated after one night PAP therapy in OHS and OSAS groups.ResultsOHS patients had the lowest scores of physical (PF) and social functioning (SF) in SF-36. The total number of persistent errors and incorrect answers were the highest in OHS group in WCST. The scores of MOCA, ECR and MMT were lower; depression and anxiety scores were higher in OHS group than in controls (p = 0,00). There was a significant increase in the completed categories in OHS after PAP therapy (p = 0,03). There were also significant increases in MOCA, ECR and MMT scores and significant decreases in depression and anxiety scores with respect to PAP therapy.ConclusionsCognitive dysfunction, depression and anxiety are important under-recognized comorbidities in OHS. It is suggested that short term PAP therapy had positive effects on neurocognitive functions, depression and anxiety but further multicentre, prospective studies with large number of cases are needed to evaluate the effect of long term PAP therapy on these parameters.

Evaluation of the effects of noninvasive ventilation on blood gas and depression levels of patients with obesity hypoventilation syndrome

“…It was also stated that further multicenter, prospective studies with large number of cases are required. [ 24 ] Another study was conducted by Hida et al . in 2003 on patients with OHS.…”

Obesity and Mental Health: A Longitudinal, Cross-Cultural Examination in Germany and China

“…Gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity not only reduces obesity, but also improves mental health as well ( Frezza et al, 2007 ). Further, decreasing Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome in those with obesity via positive airway pressure therapy reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression ( Argun Baris et al, 2016 ), again pointing to a reduction in obesity and obesity-related symptoms being related to a reduction in mental distress.…”