BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Depression is the most common psychiatric disorders in diabetic patients. This study was performed for evaluating the prevalence of depression in Iranian diabetic patients with meta-analysis method.

METHODS: This review study was conducted according to PRISMA checklist for systematic review and meta-analysis studies. Two independent researchers with using Mesh keywords for archive literature was conducted a comprehensive search on the national and international databases including Magiran, IranMedex, SID, Medlib, IranDoc, Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane, Springer, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library and Google Scholar search engine without any time limit to March 2016. I² index and Cochran test was used to assess heterogeneity of studies. The data were combined using Random Effects Model by Stata software (ver.11.1).

RESULTS: Forty-one studies involving 9.491 diabetic patients were collected in this meta-analysis. The prevalence of depression among Iranian diabetic patients was estimated 61% (95% CI [Confidence Interval]: 55-67). This rate in males and females diabetic was 49.7% (95% CI: 33.9-65.5) and 65.6% (95% CI: 51.8-79.5), respectively.  The minimum and maximum depression prevalence was obtained in West (55%) and East (66%) regions of Iran, respectively. 25.8%, 20.5%, 13.8% and 3.6% respectively indicate mild, moderate and severe and very severe depression.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of depression in diabetic patients in Iran is high. So the routine psychology counseling is necessary to diagnose and treatment of the depression in these patients