September 2023
The ISN and KDIGO Sign Memorandum of Understanding
Pictured above (L to R): John Davis, KDIGO Chief Executive Officer, Michel Jadoul, KDIGO Co-Chair, Masaomi Nangaku, ISN President, and Charu Malik, ISN Executive Director
In a continuation of its efforts toward enhanced collaboration and global advancement in nephrology, KDIGO has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Society of Nephrology (ISN). The MoU, signed in June 2023, outlines opportunities for KDIGO and the ISN to partner on projects and initiatives. KDIGO hopes to accelerate endeavors, enhance education opportunities, and promote greater awareness of kidney health issues by strengthening and formalizing its relationships with the ISN. The two organizations will work closely together on educational programs, such as webinars and congress sessions, with the aim of reaching the broadest audience possible. 
 
KDIGO has a long history of collaboration with ISN, partnering on numerous projects, webinars, and initiatives, including the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Early Identification and Intervention Toolkit and the Optimization of RAASi Therapy Toolkit. Numerous KDIGO Executive Committee members and Guideline or Controversies Conference Co-Chairs have worked closely with the ISN. KDIGO Methods Committee Chair and Executive Committee member, Marcello Tonelli, will serve as the next ISN President.
 
KDIGO also publishes most of its guidelines and conference reports in the ISN's esteemed journal, Kidney International. Upcoming 2023 publications include the conference reports from three different KDIGO Controversies Conferences: Novel Anemia Therapies, CKD Quality of Care, and Management of the Kidney Allograft. KDIGO will also publish its updated CKD Guideline and updated Lupus Nephritis Guideline in Kidney International in early 2024. 
 
"The ISN is a distinguished global organization that, like KDIGO, is dedicated to advancing kidney health worldwide," said John Davis, KDIGO Chief Executive Officer. "Our shared history and goals make us natural partners. By working together more closely and formally, we hope to open new avenues for collective progress in the field." 
 
"We are pleased to sign an MOU with KDIGO, an organization that the ISN has worked with for several years on numerous projects," said Charu Malik, ISN Executive Director. "We are excited to continue to build on our strong relationship and combine our complementary strengths and expertise to address the complex challenges posed by kidney disease around the world." 
KDIGO Novel Anemia Therapies Controversies Conference Report Published in Kidney International
KDIGO announced the publication of Novel anemia therapies in chronic kidney disease: conclusions from a KDIGO Controversies Conference, which is now available in the October issue of Kidney International.

The conference, held virtually in December 2021, convened a global panel of individuals with multidisciplinary clinical and scientific expertise to determine best practices and areas of uncertainty in the treatment of anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Elaine Ku, MD (United States), and David C. Wheeler, MD (United Kingdom), co-chaired the conference.

“HIF-PHIs are just as effective as conventional erythropoietin agents in terms of anemia treatment for people with CKD, regardless of whether they are on dialysis or not," said Dr. Wheeler. "HIF-PHIs also reduce transfusion requirements, but there are lingering concerns about their long-term safety."

"The current data do not suggest that HIF-PHIs will reduce the need for iron supplementation, but all of the trials to date were not designed to answer this question," said Dr. Ku. "Similarly, the hypothesis that HIF-PHIs may be more suitable in patients with chronic inflammation remains untested, which reinforces the need for further studies in this area. Although much trial data have arisen in the last few years, there is still much to be learned about the potential benefits and long-term safety of HIF-PHIs, and we hope the research recommendations summarized in our report will help address some of these unanswered questions." Read the full conference report.
Reminder: Open Call for KDIGO Methods Committee Nominations Through September 24
KDIGO has issued an open call for candidates to serve on its Methods Committee. The KDIGO Methods Committee is a group of methodologists and/or nephrologists who provide oversight and guidance to KDIGO Guideline Work Groups in line with the KDIGO Methods Manual. Their focus is on ensuring the scientific rigor of the guideline development process, addressing new methodological issues as they arise, and maintaining consistency across all KDIGO guidelines. The Methods Committee meets once per month throughout the year.

Candidates may self-nominate or submit nominations on behalf of their peers. Qualified candidates should have experience with guideline development methodology, systematic review, evidence synthesis, and experience in the field of clinical nephrology. 

Anyone interested in serving on the KDIGO Methods Committee or who has a candidate to submit for nomination should email [email protected] with a brief description of their interest and the candidate's curriculum vitae. The deadline for submissions is September 22, 2023.
KDIGO Partners with Radcliffe Cardiology on Cardio-Kidney Initiatives
KDIGO recently signed a partnership agreement with Radcliffe Cardiology. The agreement will see Radcliffe work with KDIGO for the creation and dissemination of independent medical education programs to further the knowledge and effectiveness of healthcare practitioners in both kidney and heart disease-related disciplines.

The agreement will bring together Radcliffe’s expertise and innovation in the creation of the highest quality medical education, with KDIGO’s focus on awareness, implementation of clinical guidelines, and best practices. Read the full release.
New Resources
AHN-KDIGO Fireside Chats

Africa Healthcare Network (AHN), the first and largest dialysis chain across Sub-Saharan Africa, brings world-class technical expertise combined with developing world practical operating experience to a region in dire need of quality dialysis treatment.

KDIGO has been honored to take part in a number of AHN "Fireside Chats," which feature presentations from leaders and pioneers in research and clinical care in the field of nephrology. Watch the AHN-KDIGO Fireside Chats on the KDIGO website
ISN-KDIGO Management of the Patient with a Failing Kidney Allograft Webinar Recording

The recording is now available of the ISN-KDIGO webinar, "Management of the Patient with a Failing Kidney Allograft."

KDIGO held the virtual Controversies Conference, "Challenges in Management of the Kidney Allograft: From Decline to Failure," in March 2022. The conference explored themes such as immunosuppression strategies, management of CKD complications in transplant recipients, prognosis and kidney failure trajectory, kidney replacement therapy, and patient considerations. Michelle Josephson, MD (United States) and Martin Zeier, MD (Germany) co-chaired the conference.
 
The webinar was moderated by Dr. Josephson and featured speakers Dr. Zeier and Yolanda Becker, MD (United States), a conference work group member. Watch the recording.
Beyond RAS Inhibition for IgAN: Guideline-directed Treatment and Emerging Therapies to Achieve Proteinuria Goals and Preserve Kidney Function


Join a panel of expert nephrologists during this free, virtual CME program produced in partnership with PlatformQ Health. Don't miss this exciting program on therapies for immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), and the correlation between proteinuria, pathophysiologic changes, and disease progression. Register..
Beyond ACEis and ARBs: The Promise of SGLT2 Inhibition to Reduce Risk of Kidney Failure and Dialysis in Numerous Patient Populations

Check out this free KDIGO-PlatformQ Health CME program that addresses strategies for multidisciplinary care team members to assess kidney function in high-risk people because of race/ethnicity and/or the presence of predisposing conditions. The webinar will summarize evidence on the impact of SGLT2 inhibitors on the progression of CKD in patients with advanced CKD independent of impacts on co-existing conditions. Mechanisms by which SGLT2 inhibitors slow the progression of CKD, including impacts on blood pressure, intraglomerular pressure, and hyperfiltration, will also be discussed. Register.
New KDIGO Podcast Series on Primary Care and CKD

KDIGO has released a new 4-episode series of the Conversations in Nephrology Podcast. The new series, hosted by Peter Lin, MD (Canada), focuses on primary care and CKD. You can listen to the latest episodes on all major podcast platforms and the KDIGO Podcast Website.

Conversations include:
  • Early Detection of CKD with Lekha Tummalapalli, MD (United States)
  • CKD Evaluation and Measurement with Magdalena Madero, MD (Mexico)
  • Applying CKD Interventions with Joel Topf, MD (United States)
  • Appropriate CKD Referral to Specialists with Ikechi Okpechi, MD (Canada)

About KDIGO

KDIGO is a Belgian foundation committed to developing and implementing nephrology guidelines that improve outcomes for people with kidney disease on a global basis. KDIGO is independent, volunteer-led, self-managed, and accountable to the public and the people it serves.