J. Alberto Neder, MD, PhD, DSc, FRCP(C), FERS
Queen’s University; Kingston, ON
Session Description
I will start by reviewing the complex effects of obesity on lung mechanics and gas exchange at rest and under the stress of exercise. Special attention will be given to the translation of these physiologic adaptations to breathlessness. These pieces of information will set the stage for a case-based overview of the challenges and pitfalls of resting (spirometry, lung volumes, transfer factor, and arterial blood gases) and exercise test interpretation in obese subjects. I will finalize by outlining the main clinical scenarios in which the functional consequences of obesity may confound the diagnosis and follow-up of subjects with suspected or established respiratory disease. Throughout the presentation, I will provide practical hints of clinical relevance to deal with the “shades of grey” in the functional respiratory assessment brought by obesity.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to:
- Describe the key physiological consequences of obesity on the respiratory system at rest and on exercise.
- Apply this knowledge to optimize the interpretation of pulmonary function and cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
- Recognize the clinical scenarios in which obesity may confound the diagnosis and assessment of functional impairment in respiratory diseases.
CanMEDS Roles: Health Advocate, Medical Expert, Scholar
