Singapore consensus statements on the management of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Leong Chai LEOW; Chuen Peng LEE; Sridhar VENKATESWARAN; Michael Teik Chung LIM; Oon Hoe TEOH; Ruth CHANG; Yam Cheng CHEE; Khai Beng CHONG; Ai Ping CHUA; Joshua GOOLEY; Hong Juan HAN; Nur Izzianie KAMARUDDIN; See Meng KHOO; Lynn Huiting KOH; Shaun Ray Han LOH; Kok Weng LYE; Mark IGNATIUS; Yingjuan MOK; Jing Hao NG; Thun How ONG; Chu Qin PHUA; Rui Ya SOH; Pei Rong SONG; Adeline TAN; Alvin TAN; Terry TAN; Jenny TANG; David TAY; Jade TAY; Song Tar TOH; Serene WONG; Chiang Yin WONG; Mimi YOW

Return

Singapore consensus statements on the management of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Author: Leong Chai LEOW ¹ ; Chuen Peng LEE ² ; Sridhar VENKATESWARAN ³ ; Michael Teik Chung LIM ⁴ ; Oon Hoe TEOH ⁵ ; Ruth CHANG ⁶ ; Yam Cheng CHEE ⁶ ; Khai Beng CHONG ⁶ ; Ai Ping CHUA ⁷ ; Joshua GOOLEY ⁸ ; Hong Juan HAN ⁹ ; Nur Izzianie KAMARUDDIN ¹ ; See Meng KHOO ¹⁰ ; Lynn Huiting KOH ¹¹ ; Shaun Ray Han LOH ¹ ; Kok Weng LYE ¹² ; Mark IGNATIUS ¹³ ; Yingjuan MOK ¹⁴ ; Jing Hao NG ¹⁵ ; Thun How ONG ¹ ; Chu Qin PHUA ¹⁶ ; Rui Ya SOH ¹⁷ ; Pei Rong SONG ¹ ; Adeline TAN ¹⁸ ; Alvin TAN ¹⁹ ; Terry TAN ²⁰ ; Jenny TANG ²¹ ; David TAY ²² ; Jade TAY ¹ ; Song Tar TOH ²³ ; Serene WONG ²⁴ ; Chiang Yin WONG ²⁵ ; Mimi YOW ¹⁵
Author Information

1. Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.
2. O2 Healthcare Group, Singapore.
3. Jurong Health Services, Singapore.
4. Department of Paediatrics, National University Hospital, Singapore.
5. KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.
6. Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
7. National University Health System, Singapore.
8. Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
9. The ENT, Voice & Snoring Clinic, Singapore.
10. Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore.
11. Department of Otolaryngology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.
12. The Oral Maxillofacial Practice, Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Singapore.
13. Ascent Ear Nose Throat Specialist Group, Singapore.
14. Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
15. Department of Orthodontics, National Dental Centre Singapore.
16. Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore.
17. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore.
18. Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Singapore.
19. Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
20. Woodlands Health, Singapore.
21. SBCC Baby & Child Clinic, Singapore.
22. T32 Dental Group, Singapore.
23. Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.
24. Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore.
25. Council, Singapore Medical Association, Singapore.
Publication Type:Consensus Development Conference
Keywords: adult; consensus; obstructive sleep apnoea; paediatrics; polysomnography; sleep apnoea
MeSH: Humans; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/diagnosis*; Singapore; Consensus; Adult
From:Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2025;54(10):627-643
CountrySingapore
Language:English
Abstract: INTRODUCTION:Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is common in Singapore, with moderate to severe OSA affecting around 30% of residents. These consensus statements aim to provide scientifically grounded recommendations for the management of OSA, standar-dise the management of OSA in Singapore and promote multidisciplinary collaboration.
METHOD:An expert panel, which was convened in 2024, identified several areas of OSA management that require guidance. The expert panel reviewed the current literature and developed consensus statements, which were later independently voted on using a 3-point Likert scale (agree, neutral or disagree). Consensus (total ratings of agree and neutral) was set a priori at ≥80% agreement. Any statement not reaching consensus was excluded.
RESULTS:The final consensus included 49 statements that provide guidance on the screening, diagnosis and management of adults with OSA. Additionally, 23 statements on the screening, diagnosis and management of paediatric OSA achieved consensus. These 72 consensus statements considered not only the latest clinical evidence but also the benefits and harms, resource implications, feasibility, acceptability and equity impact of the recommendations.
CONCLUSION:The statements presented in this paper aim to guide clinicians based on the most updated evidence and collective expert opinion from sleep specialists in Singapore. These recommendations should augment clinical judgement rather than replace it. Management decisions should be individualised, taking into account the patient's clinical characteristics, as well as patient and caregiver concerns and preferences.