The Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Iran: A Literature Review

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a common medical condition worldwide. In Iran, it has been reported that between 30-90% of people have vitamin D deficiency. However, its distribution in different parts of the country and among different age and regional groups is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review the recent literature on vitamin D deficiency in Iran. Methods: The literature review was performed using Web of Science, PubMed-Medline, Scopus and Scientific Information Database (SID) with a cut-off date of November 2016 to identify articles on vitamin D status in Iran published in the last 10 years. Studies in English and Persian that reported vitamin D levels in male and female subjects of all age groups and in healthy populations were included. Results: From 325 studies that were initially retrieved, 82 articles met the inclusion criteria. A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was reported, and in some regions, this was reported as >90% and was found in all age groups and in all regions of Iran. Conclusion: This review highlights the very high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Iran. It will be important to recognize the importance of vitamin D deficiency as a major public health problem in Iran.