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Ketogenic Diet for Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome

Ketogenic Diet for Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04108819
Acronym
KETOHS
Enrollment
24
Registered
2019-09-30
Start date
2019-10-30
Completion date
2022-06-28
Last updated
2022-07-01

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure, Ketogenic Dieting, Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome

Brief summary

Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is a condition that occurs in small percentage of obese people that causes high carbon dioxide and low oxygen levels in the blood. OHS is associated with respiratory failure, pulmonary hypertension, and death. The cause of OHS is unclear. Since not all obese people develop OHS, it is believed that hormone imbalances can contribute to the breathing problem. Some diets can change the body's hormones. For example, low-carbohydrate, high fat ketogenic diets (KD) may decrease insulin and glucose levels and increase sensitivity to other hormones. The investigators hypothesize that a KD will improve breathing in OHS patients, even in the absence of weight loss.

Detailed description

Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is a condition that occurs in small percentage of obese people, that leads to high carbon dioxide levels and low oxygen levels in the blood. OHS is associated with respiratory failure, pulmonary hypertension, hospital admissions, and death. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for OHS besides massive weight loss which often requires bariatric surgery. In this study, the investigators are examining whether switching from a regular diet to a ketogenic diet will improve breathing, oxygen, and carbon dioxide levels in OHS patients. After a few days-weeks on KD, hormone changes are known to occur and the investigators are examining whether these hormonal changes could stimulate breathing. This is a pilot study to examine the effects of a 12 day KD on OHS. The outcomes of the study include blood oxygen, carbon dioxide levels, plasma levels of hormones such as insulin, leptin, sleep studies, body composition a, weight, and metabolic rate.

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTKetogenic Diet

Subjects will undergo ketogenic diet at a 2.5:1 (fat: carb + protein) ratio for a 2-week period.

Sponsors

Johns Hopkins University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m2) * Hypercapnia (PaCO2\>45 or PvCO2\>50) on blood gas, OR a sleep study with end-tidal/transcutaneous CO2 monitoring showing an awake CO2 level \>50 * Participants without blood gas data may also have suspected OHS on the basis of serum bicarbonate \>=28 mEq/L * Lack of an alternative pulmonary diagnosis that adequately explains hypercapnia. Note that a documented pulmonary diagnosis (e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma) per se will not necessarily exclude subjects, since OHS is often misdiagnosed as obstructive lung disease. Functional or radiographic data must corroborate the presence of the alternate diagnosis. * Subjects must have had a sleep study and clinical evaluation for sleep apnea. Most subjects with OHS are expected to have concomitant obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This information is necessary to determine whether continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)/noninvasive ventilation (NIV) will be used on the research sleep studies.

Exclusion criteria

* Concomitant participation in another weight loss or diet program * Patients with diabetes taking Sodium-glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (due to risk of diabetic ketoacidosis) * Patients with type 1 diabetes * Any patients with a history of diabetic ketoacidosis * Patients with incomplete sleep apnea diagnosis or management (i.e. those still acclimating to CPAP, or pending therapeutic decisions about OSA management) * Known or suspected abuse of narcotics or alcohol * Liver cirrhosis * Uncontrolled gout * History of chronic renal insufficiency requiring dialysis * Females who are pregnant, breast-feeding, or intending to become pregnant * Food allergies or diet restrictions that research nutritionists cannot accommodate FOLLOW THIS LINK TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY: https://mrprcbcw.hosts.jhmi.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=RYX7DELK9Y

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Awake venous carbon dioxide (PvCO2) LevelBaseline (pre keto diet) and 2 weeks post keto dietMeasured in mmHg.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Venous pHOnce per week, over 4 weeksMeasured in moles per liter.
Change in Glucose levelOnce per week, over 4 weeksMeasured in g/dL.
Change in Insulin levelOnce per week, over 4 weeksMeasured in mIU/L.
Change in leptin levelOnce per week, over 4 weeksMeasured in ng/mL.
Change in beta-Hydroxybutyrate levelOnce per week, over 4 weeksMeasured in mg/dL.
Glucose profileContinuously measured over 4 weeksUsing continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), to measured glucose level (g/dL) each day at home.
Change in Body weight (kg)Once per week, over 4 weeks
Change in Oxygen saturationOnce per week, over 4 weeksMeasured as a percentage.
Change in Blood PressureOnce per week, over 4 weeksMeasured in mmHg.
Change in percentage of body fatOnce every 2 weeks, over 4 weeksThe investigators will measure percentage body fat using the Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).
Change in Apnea Hypopnea IndexOnce every 2 weeks, over 4 weeksThe apnea hypopnea index (AHI) is derived from combined information from EEG signals, flow sensors, respiratory belts, and carbon dioxide censors and is a measure of severity of sleep apnea. AHI \< 5 is considered normal. AHI 5-15 is considered mild sleep apnea. AHI 15-30 is considered moderate sleep apnea. AHI \>30 is considered severe sleep apnea.
Change in LDL CholesterolOnce per week, over 4 weeksMeasured in mg/dL.
Change in HDL CholesterolOnce per week, over 4 weeksMeasured in mg/dL.
Change in Triglyceride levelOnce per week, over 4 weeksMeasured in mg/dL.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026