MON-229 - Evaluating Clinician Understanding of Hyperphagia in Prader-Willi Syndrome: Identifying Critical Gaps in Pathophysiology, Management, and Novel Therapy Awareness

Background:
Hyperphagia associated with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is frequently misrecognized or misunderstood, leading to delays in appropriate intervention. Clinicians often lack clarity on the specific age of onset and struggle to navigate the evolving clinical manifestations that present throughout the patient’s lifespan. Furthermore, a lack of familiarity with the emerging clinical evidence and distinct mechanisms of action (MOAs) for novel interventions hinders the ability to optimize care strategies with these new developments. This study evaluates an online continuing medical education (CME) assessment designed to identify specific practice gaps and inform future educational strategies.

Methods:
Data were collected from an online Clinical Practice Assessment (CPA) launched in February 2025. The activity utilized a 26-question assessment to provide a baseline “snapshot” of knowledge and competence. Responses were analyzed from 242 participating clinicians, including 38 diabetologists/endocrinologists & 204 pediatricians, to quantify specific deficits across core domains: foundational disease understanding, clinical management, and novel therapeutic developments.

Results:
The assessment exposed profound gaps in foundational knowledge and therapeutic awareness across both specialties:
• Over 40% of clinicians failed to identify the underlying genetic cause or average age of hyperphagia onset; these persistent foundational gaps are significant barriers that impede patients from accessing timely diagnosis and care.
• A significant proportion (58% of specialists, 81% of pediatricians) could not identify the recommended dietary intake for a patient living with hyperphagia in PWS, with many erroneously recommending ≥100% of the recommended daily allowance.
• Unfamiliarity with emerging treatments was widespread, as >75% of learners were unaware of the distinct mechanisms of action and safety profiles for novel and emerging interventions.
• Despite the burden of food-seeking behavior, only ~30% of clinicians identified hyperphagia as the highest priority for advancing PWS care, reflecting a disconnect between clinical focus and patient need.

Conclusion
The assessment successfully highlighted critical barriers to care, revealing that while specialists possess slightly greater familiarity with emerging therapies, foundational knowledge gaps persist across the care team. With 40-60% of clinicians reporting minimal confidence in managing hyperphagia, current educational needs extend beyond novel therapies . Future programs must implement multifaceted initiatives that solidify understanding of PWS presentation while providing practical training on integrating new targeted therapies & patient-centered care strategies.

Acknowledgements: This education was supported by an independent educational grant from Soleno Therapeutics, Inc.

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