Speech by Dr Lam Pin Min, Minister of State for Health, at the 3rd ASEAN Sleep Congress on 20 Nov 2015

Professor Fong Kok Yong, Chairman Medical Board, Singapore General Hospital

Professor Michael Chee, President of the Singapore Sleep Society

Dr. Toh Song Tar, Organising Chairman of the 3^rd ASEAN Sleep Congress          

Presidents and representatives of the ASEAN Sleep Societies

Distinguished Speakers and Chairpersons

Introduction

1.         Good morning. I hope all of you had a good sleep last night! It gives me great pleasure to join you today for the official opening of this very unique scientific meeting on sleep and sleeping, the 3^rd ASEAN Sleep Congress. Doctors and healthcare professionals from as many as 25 countries, including many from the ASEAN region are gathered here today for this Congress. For the overseas guests with us today, a warm welcome to Singapore. I do hope that you will find some time amidst your busy conference schedule to explore Singapore.

Sleep and Health

2.         It is a little known fact that one-third of our lives is spent sleeping! Logically, sleep must be of some importance to all of us. Yet, we are only recently discovering and appreciating more about the importance of sleep.

3.         I am heartened that the Sleep Medicine community is taking an active role in defining and advancing Sleep Health, bringing together different disciplines in medicine, through collaboration in research and education. This Congress is timely as we observe more sleep deprivations or impaired sleep quality in our fast-paced world. Time zone changes from air travel affecting the quality of sleep is also one aspect where many of us here would have personally experienced, more so for those working in the air travel industry.

Sleep and Health Promotion

4.         Indeed, the greater awareness of sleep disorders and its implications could impact our approach to health promotion, risk factor management, and care delivery. There have been studies that observe an association between short sleep duration and increased prevalence of obesity in adults and children, as well as increased risk of developing chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes in adults.[1] Other studies inform us that habitual short and long duration of sleep appear to be associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality.[2] The potential mechanisms accounting for the relationship, while poorly understood, have become the focus of growing interest. Further studies will be needed to achieve a better understanding of how sleep duration and quality impact our health and well-being.

5.         In the meantime, we could consider translating the current findings on sleep into our health promotion and preventive care efforts. For a start, we could be more proactive about tackling the problem of sleep deprivation by raising awareness on the health risks associated with insufficient sleep. These messages could be tailored to target two key stakeholders. First, employers are integral in the co-creation of more sleep-sensitive policies for shift workers. A correlation has been shown between shift work and disruption of circadian sleep and alerting cycles.[3] Second, we need to raise parents’ awareness on the importance of sleep in children. A local study found that about four in 10 primary school children aged six to nine are not getting enough sleep. The use of electronic devices before bedtime could be affecting their sleep, consequently impacting their ability to stay awake in class.[4] Parents have a critical role to play in helping their children to sleep early by reducing pre-bedtime activities.

Advances in the knowledge and treatment of Sleep Disorders

6.         Advances in clinical sleep research have enabled doctors to better identify patients and start intervention earlier. We know how certain disorders like obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome can affect the sleep health of our populations. There is also continuous development of both pharmacological and psychological treatments in this field.

7.         In the public hospitals, our sleep physicians work with various specialists to identify and manage patients with sleep disorders. For example, common conditions like hypertension and coronary artery disease are associated with obstructive sleep apnoea.[5] Various healthcare providers therefore play an important role in the early identification and treatment of this sleep disorder. Similarly, sleep apnoea patients should be appropriately assessed for cardiovascular risk factors and diseases.

Conclusion

8.         In closing, I would like to thank the Singapore General Hospital Sleep Disorders Unit, Singapore Sleep Society and all the supporting societies and sleep physicians for bringing together so many of you for this Congress. I am confident that this Congress will enable professionals to keep up-to-date on the latest developments in sleep care, develop networks and collaborations on sleep-related research and advance patient care in this area. I wish you all a successful Congress. Thank you.

[1] Kristen L. Knutson, Ph.D. Sleep duration and cardiometabolic risk: a review of the epidemiologic evidence. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 October; 24(5): 731–743.

[2] Cappuccio FP, D'Elia L, Strazzullo P, Miller MA. Sleep duration and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. Sleep. 2010 May; 33(5):585-92.

[3]  Wright KP Jr¹, Bogan RK, Wyatt JK. Shift work and the assessment and management of shift work disorder (SWD). Sleep Med Rev. 2013 Feb;17(1):41-54.

[4] http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/lower-primary-school-children-not-getting-enough-sleep

[5] Y. Peker, J. Carlson, J. Hedner. Increased incidence of coronary artery disease in sleep apnoea: a long-term follow-up. Eur Respir J. 2006 Sep;28(3):596-602.