Vitamin D deficiency and its immunological and genetic determinants in middle eastern populations: Emphasis on Iraqi data
1 College of Medicine, University of Kirkuk, Kirkuk, Iraq, 36001.
2 College of pharmacy. Ninevah university.
Review
International Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research Updates, 2026, 06(02), 022-033.
Article DOI: 10.53430/ijcpru.2026.6.2.0038
Publication history:
Received on 06 May 2026; revised on 22 June 2026; accepted on 24 June 2026
Abstract:
Among the most common, yet underestimated nutritional deficiencies in the world is vitamin D deficiency (VDD), that remains especially pronounced among MENA populations including Iraq. Noting the considerable solar radiation in the region, epidemiological surveys indicate a deficiency level of 50-90% among adults - a paradox explained by the concurrence of cultural clothing habits and indoor lifestyle, few dietary sources and now increasing genetic factors. We provide here a narrative review of the epidemiology of VDD in MENA, with particular emphasis on Iraqi governorates-containing novel data from Baghdad, Basrah, Sulaymaniyah, and Kirkuk-and attempt an integrative analysis of both the immuno-biological consequences and genetic architecture of VDD in these populations. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed on nearly all immune cells and mediates pleiotropic effects on innate and adaptive immunity, connecting hypovitaminosis D with enhanced inflammatory tone, decreased antimicrobial peptide production, and altered T-cell homeostasis. Here we present genome-wide association studies (GWAS) performed in Middle Easterners from the Qatar Biobank, identifying instrumented genetic variation at the GC, CYP2R1 and VDR loci that explain ~18% of vitamin D heritability with a different variant architecture than common across European populations. Compared to Iraq where no similar genomic data exists, this represents the most significant barrier to bridging genetic insight to local public health policy. At the end of this review, we have presented prioritised recommendations for integrated genomic-environmental research, validation of major cut-off values in Iraq, targeting supplementation programmes and food fortification strategies.
Keywords:
Vitamin D deficiency; Iraq; Middle East; MENA; immunomodulation; VDR; GC; GWAS; Kirkuk; Basrah; Sulaymaniyah
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