January 2026

KDIGO’s 2026 is already off to an impactful start with the January 2 publication of the KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Kidney International. The guideline is a comprehensive update to the 2012 Anemia in CKD Guideline, and provides evidence-based recommendations and practice points to support the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of anemia in adults and children with CKD, including those receiving dialysis or living with a kidney transplant. The guideline was co-chaired by Jodie Babitt, MD (United States), and Marcello Tonelli, MD (Canada).

Anemia remains a common and burdensome complication of CKD, contributing to reduced quality of life, higher cardiovascular risk, and increased use of red blood cell transfusions. The updated guideline reflects important advances in the understanding of anemia pathophysiology and treatment, offering practical guidance across all CKD stages and care settings.

“This guideline represents an important step forward in how we approach anemia in CKD,” said Dr. Babitt. “It emphasizes a systematic evaluation of anemia and iron deficiency, clearer guidance on when and how to use oral and intravenous iron, and more practical direction on treatment selection across different clinical scenarios. The goal is to support safer, more consistent care in everyday practice.”



The updated recommendations are informed by a broad and rigorous evidence base, with a focus on supporting practical, evidence-informed decision-making in real-world clinical settings.

“The updated Anemia in CKD Guideline reflects a decade of new evidence and the growing complexity of anemia management,” said Dr. Tonelli. “We reviewed randomized trial data across iron therapies, ESAs, HIF-PHIs, and transfusion strategies, with careful attention to both benefits and harms. By combining graded recommendations with practical guidance, the guideline aims to support evidence-informed care across diverse healthcare systems and resource settings worldwide.”

KDIGO Publishes Obesity in CKD Conference Report

The conference report from the KDIGO Controversies Conference on the Relationship between Obesity and CKD is now available online in Kidney International as an article in press. Co-chaired by Susan Furth, MD (United States), and Peter Rossing, MD (Denmark), the conference brought together patients and international experts in nephrology, endocrinology, epidemiology, and nutrition to examine how obesity influences kidney health across the life course.

Participants reviewed evidence showing that long-term, early-onset obesity substantially increases the risk of CKD, with prolonged exposure playing a key role in future kidney health. Discussions also highlighted challenges in accurately assessing kidney function in people living with obesity, as common measures can mask early disease and complicate monitoring, particularly during weight loss interventions.

“Obesity is not simply a coexisting condition in CKD; it influences kidney function across the life course,” said Dr. Furth. “Because sustained exposure to obesity beginning early in life confers risks for CKD and cardiovascular disease, there is an important need for earlier identification, improved assessment tools, and prevention strategies.”

“Effective obesity treatment has the potential to improve kidney outcomes far beyond weight reduction alone,” said Dr. Rossing. “Newer pharmacologic therapies, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, can lead to meaningful weight loss and promising cardiovascular and kidney benefits. At the same time, critical evidence gaps remain around optimal timing and duration of interventions, particularly across CKD stages.”

The conference report, plenary presentations, and additional resources are available on the KDIGO Obesity in CKD Controversies Conference webpage.

Christoph Wanner, MD (Germany), has officially begun his term as KDIGO Co-Chair effective January 1, 2026. Dr. Wanner was elected by the KDIGO Executive Committee and succeeds Michel Jadoul, MD (Belgium), bringing decades of leadership and scientific expertise to this role alongside current Co-Chair Morgan Grams, MD (United States).

A senior professor of medicine at the University Hospital of Würzburg and visiting professor of nephrology at the University of Oxford, Dr. Wanner is internationally recognized for his contributions to diabetic kidney disease, cardiovascular risk in dialysis, lipid disorders, and rare kidney diseases.

A long-standing KDIGO volunteer, Dr. Wanner has played key roles in multiple guideline initiatives, Controversies Conferences, and educational programs. His deep clinical insight, collaborative leadership style, and commitment to advancing evidence-based kidney care will help guide KDIGO’s mission to improve outcomes for people with kidney disease worldwide. KDIGO is immensely grateful to Dr. Wanner for his leadership and commitment.

KDIGO 25 from 2025

Don’t miss KDIGO’s 25 from 2025, the annual list of top KDIGO resources published throughout the year, organized alphabetically by topic. The 2025 list includes new Clinical Practice Guidelines, podcasts, infographics, webinars, and other educational tools. Check out the KDIGO 25 from 2025.

Timely Diagnosis and Novel Treatment of C3G

On-Demand CME Webinar

C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) is a rare, progressive kidney disease driven by dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway. This on-demand CME webinar features expert insights from David Kavanagh, MD (United Kingdom), and Marina Vivarelli, MD (Italy), who review the pathophysiology of C3G and practical strategies to improve diagnosis and treatment.

Using a real-world patient case, the program explores recognizing nonspecific symptoms, applying knowledge of the complement pathway, and integrating emerging evidence into care. Topics include best practices for biopsy and diagnosis, disease progression and post-transplant recurrence, standard of care, and the role of complement inhibitors. Learn more and register.

Elevating Anemia Care: New Strategies for Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease

On-Demand CME Webinar

Anemia is a frequent and high-impact complication of dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (DD-CKD). This on-demand CME webinar, moderated by Wolfgang Winkelmayer, MD (United States), features expert perspectives from Jodie Babitt, MD (United States), and Holly Kramer, MD (United States), on evidence-based approaches to evaluating and treating anemia in people with DD-CKD. The program focuses on practical strategies for screening for anemia and iron deficiency and the consequences of untreated anemia, including cardiovascular risk, hospitalizations, and reduced quality of life.  Learn more and register (log-in required).

Preserve and Prevent: Expert Perspectives on Optimizing Outcomes in IgA Nephropathy (IgAN)

On-Demand CME Webinar

In this on-demand CME activity, KDIGO IgAN Guideline Co-Chair Jürgen Floege, MD (Germany), and Work Group Member Jonathan Barratt, PhD (United Kingdom) discuss evidence-based approaches to assessing risk, guiding treatment decisions, and applying newly approved therapies for IgAN.

Their expert insights focus on how evolving clinical data and guideline-recommended strategies can help clinicians more effectively identify high-risk individuals, integrate supportive care with disease-specific therapy, and ultimately seek to preserve kidney function and improve outcomes. Learn more and register.

About KDIGO

KDIGO is a Belgian foundation committed to developing and implementing global nephrology guidelines that improve outcomes for people with kidney disease. KDIGO is independent, volunteer-led, self-managed, and accountable to the public and the people it serves. KDIGO thanks our annual supporters for their partnership. Learn more.