Respiratory evaluation through volumetric capnography among grade III obese and eutrophic individuals: a comparative study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Excess trunk body fat in obese individuals influences respiratory physiological function. The aims of this study were to compare volumetric capnography findings (VCap) between severely obese patients and normal-weight subjects and to assess whether there is any association between neck circumference (NC), waist-hip ratio (WHR) and VCap among grade III obese individuals. DESIGN AND SETTING: Analytical observational case-matched cross-sectional study, University of Campinas. METHODS: This cross-sectional study compared VCap variables between 60 stage III obese patients and 60 normal-weight individuals. RESULTS: In comparison with the normal-weight group, obese patients presented higher alveolar minute volume (8.92 ± 4.94 versus 6.09 ± 2.2; P =