International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780212201010311616ENPharmD, Neuroscience Research Centre, Kerman University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Kerman.MD, PhD of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health, KUMS, Kerman.MD, MPH, Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS (IRCHA), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran.MD, Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital, TUMS, Tehran.PharmD, Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital, TUMS, Tehran.MD, MPH, Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS (IRCHA), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran.MD, Medical Students Research Center, KUMS, Kerman.MD, Medical Students Research Center, KUMS, Kerman.MD, Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital, TUMS, Tehran.MD, Women Health Affairs Office, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran.20101031Objectives: There are a large number of primary researches on the<br />prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) in Iran; however,<br />their findings are varied considerably. A systematic review was<br />performed in order to summarize the findings.<br />Methods: Electronic and manual searches in international and<br />Iranian journals were conducted to find relevant studies reporting<br />MDD prevalence. To maximize the sensitivity of the search, the<br />references of relevant papers were also explored. We explored the<br />potential sources of heterogeneity such as diagnostic tools, gender<br />and other characteristics using meta-regression model. The combined<br />mean prevalence rates were calculated for genders, studies<br />using each type of instruments and for each province using metaanalysis<br />method.<br />Results: From 44 articles included in the systematic review, 24<br />reported current prevalence and 20 reported lifetime prevalence of<br />MDD. The overall estimation of current prevalence of MDD was<br />4.1% (95% CI: 3.1-5.1). Women were 1.95 (95% CI: 1.55-2.45)<br />times more likely to have MDD. The current prevalence of MDD<br />in urban inhabitants was not significantly different from rural<br />inhabitants. The analysis identified the variations in diagnostic<br />tools as an important source of heterogeneity.<br />Conclusions: Although there is not adequate information on<br />MDD prevalence in some areas of Iran, the overall current prevalence<br />of MDD in the country is high and females are at the greater<br />risk of disease.<br />Keywords: Depressive disorder; Mental health; Epidemiology;<br />Prevalence, Review; Meta-analysis.http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/16http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/16/279