Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) is pleased to announce the release of the KDIGO Methods Manual for Guideline Development. The KDIGO Methods Manual provides a comprehensive overview of the processes and evidence review methods that serve as the basis for developing and updating KDIGO Guidelines.
The manual was developed by the KDIGO Methods Committee, led by Marcello Tonelli, MD (Canada), and KDIGO Guideline Development Director, Amy Earley (United States), to explain the process of KDIGO guideline development from topic prioritization to publication. Graphics and links throughout the Methods Manual offer examples and support descriptions of often complex processes. The Methods Manual defines and explains each step in these processes, including (but not limited to) topic selection, appointment of guideline Co-Chairs and Work Group members, disclosures of interest, Scope of Work development, selecting an evidence review team, evidence review steps, format for writing guidelines, public review of the draft guideline, publication, implementation, and guideline updates. The manual is not intended as a handbook for conducting a systematic review or developing independent guidelines.
“KDIGO Guidelines have a global impact on how clinicians treat patients with kidney disease. The Methods Manual will help clinicians and researchers to better understand the processes and requirements behind KDIGO guidelines and recommendations,” said Dr. Tonelli. “We hope this document offers a transparent summary of how KDIGO develops its Guidelines, and clearly shows that recommendations from KDIGO Guidelines are based on credible, rigorous systematic reviews that summarize all the relevant evidence.”
“KDIGO Guidelines follow a rigorous, detailed, and highly unique process that can take up to three years to complete,” said John Davis, KDIGO CEO. “KDIGO has always been transparent about how guidelines are selected and developed, but not until now have we had a document that so fully and robustly identifies each step of the process. We hope the KDIGO Methods Manual will help clinician confidence in adopting and implementing recommendations from KDIGO Guidelines.”
