James, MatthewTsai, WillisPovitz, Marcus2015-06-182015-11-202015-06-182015http://hdl.handle.net/11023/2309Obesity affects 25-30% of Canadians. Obese individuals are at increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS), which may cause or complicate chronic hypoxemia. This thesis reports the prevalence of OSA and OHS in a cohort with obesity and chronic hypoxemia referred for sleep testing. Obstructive sleep apnea and OHS were highly prevalent, affecting 80% and 51% respectively. The obesity hypoventilation syndrome was more common than chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in this cohort. Adherence to treatment of OSA and OHS with positive airway pressure therapy was associated with an increase in mean arterial oxygen levels as well as a reduction in the number of individuals requiring oxygen. Adherence with PAP therapy was also associated with a reduction in the rate of hospitalizations though the frequency of outpatient visits rose. These findings support current provincial policies for testing for OSA and OHS in obese hypoxemic individuals.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Medicine and SurgeryObesityhypoxemiasleep apneamaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/27424