(DCP030) CHARACTERIZING SLEEP IN ADULTS LIVING WITH TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 DIABETES

Background: Sleep is essential for physical and mental health. This is especially true for adults living with diabetes as short and poor sleep quality is associated with hyperglycemia and risks of complications. Our previous pilot study indicated that adults living with type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) were more at risk of having short and poor sleep quality and insomnia compared to adults without diabetes. The study objective was to document sleep and insomnia according to diabetes type and biological sex/gender.

METHODS AND RESULTS: French-speaking adults (≥18 years) living with T1D and T2D from the province of Québec were recruited through diabetes associations, hospitals, and a Canadian website on sleep from mid-August 2022 to January 2023. Participants were invited to complete an anonymous online survey. Sleep and insomnia were measured using validated French versions of self-reported questionnaires on sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), sleep health (Sleep Health Index), and insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index). Pregnant women and shift workers were excluded from the study. A total of 172 adults (women: 136; men: 36) living with diabetes (T1D: 82; T2D: 90) completed the entire survey. Participants’ mean age was 46.1±13.2 years. Sleep duration was slightly shorter and below the recommended minimum of 7 hours/night among adults living with T2D compared to those living with T1D (T1D: 7.3±1.5 hours/night vs. T2D: 6.8±1.6 hours/night, p=0.0370). Poor sleep quality scores were significantly higher among adults living with T2D compared to those living with T1D (T1D: 7.3±3.6 vs. T2D: 9.1±4.1, p=0.0018). Sleep health scores were significantly lower among adults living with T2D compared to those living with T1D (T1D: 59.3±19.3 vs. T2D: 51.4±17.5, p=0.0053). Insomnia was significantly more severe among adults living with T2D compared to those living with T1D (T1D: 10.1±6.5 vs. T2D: 12.9±7.0, p=0.0075). Significantly more adults living with T2D had moderate to severe clinical insomnia compared to those living with T1D (T1D: 25.6% vs. T2D: 40.0%, p=0.0452). Sleep duration, sleep quality, sleep health scores, and severity of insomnia did not significantly vary by biological sex nor gender (all p>0.05). The results were similar when controlled for age.

Conclusion: The present results suggest that adults living with T2D are at higher risk for shorter sleep duration, poor sleep quality, low sleep health, and clinical insomnia compared to adults living with T1D. Adults living with T2D should be prioritized and have access to effective sleep interventions to prevent complications associated with elevated glucose levels.