Final answer:
Patients with OSA and obesity hypoventilation syndrome suffer from metabolic consequences such as leptin resistance leading to overeating, increased risk of insulin resistance, and cardiovascular problems including high blood pressure due to intermittent hypoxemia and hypercapnia.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and obesity hypoventilation syndrome, leading to chronic respiratory failure, face several metabolic consequences. One of the primary outcomes is leptin resistance, which leads to an inability to detect satiety and results in overeating and weight gain. Obesity increases the risk of diseases, including type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, and OSA itself. Weight gain places additional stress on respiratory structures exacerbating airway obstruction during sleep. This can result in recurrent episodes of hypoxemia and hypercapnia, increasing inflammation and the risk of blood clots, and potentially leading to insulin resistance. Due to erratic breathing patterns, the body's metabolism is altered, and sleep-deprived patients may develop cardiovascular issues, fatty liver diseases, and high blood pressure. The syndrome is concerned with inadequate oxygenation during sleep, which can cause secondary polycythemia and systemic hypertension resulting from sympathetic overactivity.