Study objectives: This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive review of sleep medicine in Iran, focusing on the country's advancements, challenges, and the global context.
Methods: We conducted a comprehensive review of sleep medicine in Iran, using various sources to ensure a thorough analysis. The national educational curriculum for sleep medicine and guidelines on sleep clinics issued by Iran's Ministry of Health served as a foundational resource. Additionally, we gathered information from the Iranian Sleep Medicine Society (ISM) website and relevant committee data sources. To enhance our understanding of the current research landscape, we performed a targeted search on PubMed using keywords related to sleep and Iran.
Results: The study presents a dynamic overview of sleep medicine in Iran, highlighting key advancements and challenges. Significant progress was observed in establishing standardized sleep medicine training and accredited sleep clinics. The ISM plays a pivotal role in spearheading these developments, contributing to implementing regional guidelines for sleep tests. However, challenges such as a limited number of trained specialists, a scarcity of certified sleep clinics, and obstacles to accessing sleep disorder treatments were identified.
Conclusions: We advocate for the implementation of increased research initiatives, nationwide education and screening programs, and proactive measures to strengthen the landscape of sleep and circadian medicine in the country.
Keywords: Iran; circadian health; sleep health; sleep medicine.
© 2024 American Academy of Sleep Medicine.