ABSTRACT
To describe self-reported chronic diseases in Iran. This was a nationwide cross sectional study. A random sample of individuals aged between 18 and 65 years were entered into the study. Demografic and socioeconomic data including age, gender, education, marital status, employment, income, and chronic diseases were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios for contributing factors to self-reported chronic diseases. In all, 5518 individuals [20.7%] reported that they were suffering from chronic diseases. The frequency for major chronic diseases were: cardiovascular 1814 [6.5%], diabetes 933 [3.3%], musculoskeletal 2050 [7.4%], Cancer 205 [0.7] and the other diseases 953 [3.4%] Smoking, lack of adequate physical activity, low educational levels, lack of attention to nutritional status and overall health status were significantly associated with reported chronic diseases. This study confirmed that following epidemiologic transition, chronic diseases can impose the most important part of the burden of disease to many communities even to the most developing countries