Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) was established in 2003 as an independently incorporated non-profit foundation governed by an international Board with the stated mission to “improve the care and outcomes of kidney disease patients worldwide by promoting coordination, collaboration, and integration of initiatives to develop and implement clinical practices guidelines.”

KDIGO is managed by the National Kidney Foundation, a U.S. foundation with 11 years of experience in developing and implementing guidelines.

Click on the article below for a more detailed description of why and how KDIGO was created.

October 2004 - The burden of kidney disease: Improving global outcomes

Authors: Garabed Eknoyan, Norbert Lameire, Rashad Barsoum, Kai-Uwe Eckardt, Adeera Levin, Nathan Levin, Francesco Locatelli, Alison MacLeod, Raymond Vanholder, Rowan Walker, and Haiyan Wang

Kidney International
Volume 66 Issue 4 Page 1310 - October 2004

KDIGO sponsors a variety of initiatives to achieve its mission.

Since its founding, KDIGO has made significant strides in uniting the global nephrology community to improve the care and outcomes of kidney disease patients worldwide. The organization has had papers published in international journals, presented at international meetings and is becoming identified as the entity to promote coordination, collaboration and integration of initiatives to develop and implement clinical practice guidelines in nephrology.

Rationale for a Global Initiative

  • There is an increasing prevalence of kidney disease worldwide.
  • The complications and problems of patients with kidney disease are universal.
  • There is a need to develop a public health approach to this global epidemic of kidney disease.
  • Resources may vary, but the science and evidence-based care of complications and problems encountered by those afflicted the CKD are universal and independent of geographical location or national borders.
  • There is a clear need for strategic initiatives, which will improve the care of patients with kidney disease worldwide.
  • It is important to increase the efficiency of utilizing available expertise and resources in improving global outcomes of kidney disease and avoid duplication of efforts.
  • There is room for improving international cooperation in the development, dissemination and implementation of clinical practice guidelines to achieve these goals.

KDIGO is governed by an international board representing 24 countries and 5 continents.
For a complete list of KDIGO Board members – Click Here

For more information on kidney disease visit the National Kidney Foundation.

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