Respiratory Muscle Strength in Patients With Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome (OHS) or With a Precursor of the Disease
Respiratory Muscle Strength in Patients With Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome (OHS) or With a Precursor of the Disease
Using an extensive set of both volitional and non-volitional tests of respiratory muscle
 function and strength it is the aim of this study to

 -  identify potential determinants for the development of obesity hypoventilation

 -  to identify predictors for the presence of a sleep-related hypoventilation requiring
 treatment in obese patients
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  patients with BMI > 30 and obesity-associated hypoventilation stages I - IV

 -  patients with BMI > 30 and elevated OHS-risk (= obstructive sleep apnea without
 hypercapnia)

 -  age:18-80 years

 -  capacity to consent

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  any other disease, that causes ventilatory insufficiency

 -  pacemaker, defibrillators or device for deep brain or vagus nerve stimulation

 -  esophagitis, Barrett-esophagus, esophageal cancer

 -  acute gastritis and ulcera ventriculi

 -  epilepsy

 -  any medical, psychological or other condition impairing the patient's ability to
 provide informed consent