Case report: fast reversal of malignant obesity hypoventilation syndrome after noninvasive ventilation and pulmonary rehabilitation

Background Malignant obesity hypoventilation syndrome (MOHS) is described as a subtype condition of OHS, characterized by extreme obesity, obese-related hypoventilation, and multiorgan dysfunction. Because of low awareness and inadequate treatment, MOHS leads to high morbidity and mortality. Case presentation A 53-year-old man was diagnosed with MOHS evidenced by extreme obesity and multiorgan abnormalities. After taken noninvasive ventilation (NIV) treatment, he was rescued. And at the end of the six-month pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program, improvement in terms of respiratory parameters, BMI, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and pulmonary hypertension were observed in the patient. Two years later, the patient was still in good condition. Conclusions This case highlights the awareness and proper use of NIV to rescue MOHS patients. Furthermore, the benefits of PR were explored in this case, which has not been considered within the therapeutic options for MOHS patients.