1233 Bridging the Gap: Integrating Sleep Health into Cardiometabolic Care Through Clinical Assessment and Knowledge Translation

Abstract Introduction Insomnia—characterized by difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep or early morning awakenings—affects up to one-third of adults and is increasingly recognized as a modifiable risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases. A growing body of evidence links insomnia to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Mechanistically, insomnia contributes to cardiometabolic risk through increased sympathetic nervous system activity, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation, and elevated inflammatory markers. Despite its high prevalence and clinical impact, insomnia remains underdiagnosed and undertreated, particularly in patients with obesity and related metabolic conditions. This underscores the need to integrate sleep health into routine cardiometabolic care. Methods This multiphase study aimed to (1) evaluate the feasibility and clinical need for sleep assessments in a specialty endocrinology clinic serving patients with obesity and/or diabetes, and (2) translate findings into actionable knowledge for primary care providers. Phase One involved structured sleep assessments of 69 patients, focusing on sleep patterns, satisfaction, and the impact of sleep disturbances on daily functioning. Phase Two consisted of targeted knowledge translation activities, including educational sessions and dissemination of clinical tools to primary care providers, aimed at enhancing their capacity to assess and manage sleep health. Results Prior to the study, only 46% of participants reported that their sleep had ever been assessed by a primary care provider. While 9% were open to initiating pharmacologic treatment, 23% preferred discussing sleep concerns with their primary care provider. Notably, 70% of participants reported increased awareness of sleep’s importance following assessment, and the majority expressed satisfaction with the sleep evaluation conducted in the specialty clinic. Post-training surveys from primary care providers indicated a marked increase in confidence and comfort in addressing sleep health with patients. Conclusion This study highlights a critical gap in sleep health assessment within cardiometabolic and obesity care settings. Routine integration of sleep evaluations in specialty clinics, coupled with targeted education for primary care providers, can enhance early identification and management of insomnia. Given the bidirectional relationship between sleep disturbances and obesity, prioritizing sleep health is essential for improving outcomes and reducing the burden of chronic disease. Support (if any)