Gender Disparities in Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome

Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is the most severe form of sleep-disordered breathing, and most patients also have concomitant obstructive sleep apnea. Postmenopausal women show a higher prevalence of OHS, likely influenced by hormonal changes. Awareness of OHS among health care providers remains limited; therefore, many patients, particularly women, are underdiagnosed until presenting with acute respiratory failure requiring hospital admission. In women, delayed diagnosis is often accompanied by a higher burden of complications and late initiation of treatment, highlighting the need for earlier recognition and intervention.