• Jennifer W McCallister, Eric J Adkins, and James M O'Brien.
• Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Center for Critical Care, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
• Clin. Chest Med. 2009 Sep 1;30(3):495-508, viii.

AbstractAcute lung injury (ALI) and the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are common indications for ICU admission and mechanical ventilation. ALI/ARDS also consumes significant health care resources and is a common cause of death in ICU patients. Obesity produces changes in respiratory system physiology that could affect outcomes for ALI/ARDS patients and their response to treatment. Additionally, the biochemical alterations seen in obese patients, such as increased inflammation and altered metabolism, could affect the risk of developing ALI/ARDS in patients with another risk factor (eg, sepsis). The few studies that have examined the influence of obesity on the outcomes from ALI/ARDS are inconclusive. Furthermore, observed results could be biased by disparities in provided care.

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