[Should patients with respiratory failure and obesity be made to lose weight?]

Abstract

Patients suffering from chronic respiratory failure may present with obesity, which can cause respiratory failure, particularly in cases of Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome (OHS) or certain forms of asthma. It can also aggravate symptoms such as dyspnea. In this context, patients are often asked to change their lifestyle, or even to undergo bariatric surgery, the common objective being to help them lose weight. That said, a question may be raised: is weight loss always desirable? In the present review of relevant articles, we report on: (a) the current possibilities for achieving significant and lasting weight loss, (b) the arguments in favor of a weight loss strategy for patients with respiratory failure, and (c) the arguments suggesting a need for caution.