November 2024

It is with deep sorrow that KDIGO acknowledges the passing of Masafumi Fukagawa, MD (Japan), a leading nephrologist, researcher, and educator whose contributions to the field of chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) were transformative. Dr. Fukagawa's extraordinary career spanned decades, and his work not only shaped clinical practices worldwide but also inspired generations of medical professionals.

Dr. Fukagawa was a professor and the chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine Chairman at Tokai University School of Medicine in Isehara, Japan. He also served as vice dean of the school from 2021. Before his tenure at Tokai University, Dr. Fukagawa was an associate professor and the director of the Division of Nephrology and Kidney Center at Kobe University School of Medicine, where he was instrumental in establishing a pioneering nephrology program. His leadership extended across borders, having trained numerous medical students, residents, and fellows from Japan and throughout Asia.

A leading expert in mineral metabolism and uremic toxins, Dr. Fukagawa published over 500 clinical and basic research papers, influencing both clinical practice and scientific understanding in nephrology. His work was foundational in the development of the KDIGO CKD-MBD Guideline, and he was an integral member of the KDIGO Executive Committee. 

Dr. Fukagawa was also a respected member of the International Society of Nephrology's Educational Committee and the North and East Asia Regional Board. He served as an editor for prestigious journals, including The Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology and The Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism, where his editorial insight helped steer research in nephrology and CKD-MBD.

"Masafumi was an esteemed colleague and true gentleman," said KDIGO Co-Chair Michel Jadoul, MD (Belgium). "His dedication to the advancement of CKD-MBD knowledge and care was evident in every aspect of his work. He was always ready to lend his wisdom and support, and his presence in our meetings and collaborations will be deeply missed. His loss is tremendous, but his legacy will continue to inspire our work."

KDIGO extends its deepest condolences to Dr. Fukagawa's family, loved ones, colleagues, and the many trainees who had the privilege of learning from him. 

KDIGO and the Latin American Society of Nephrology and Hypertension (SLANH) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at ASN Kidney Week in San Diego, California. This new agreement will enable KDIGO and SLANH to collaborate on educational initiatives, guideline dissemination, and promoting best practices in kidney care throughout Latin America.

Through the MoU, KDIGO and SLANH have committed to developing regionally relevant education for healthcare professionals at every level. The MoU outlines numerous projects and initiatives, including strengthening relationships with national societies in Latin America and joint presentations at conferences and congresses. SLANH and KDIGO also hope to work together to create a more cohesive standard of kidney care across countries where disparities in resources are often sharp. This will include developing and delivering region-specific educational activities to nephrologists, clinicians, and allied health professionals across SLANH’s extensive network, empowering them with the latest research and best practices.

“By formalizing this partnership, KDIGO is excited to build upon our longstanding relationship with SLANH,” said KDIGO Co-Chair Morgan Grams, MD (United States). “Working together, we can bring essential educational resources and guidelines to healthcare professionals in Latin America, positively impacting kidney care across the region.”

"SLANH is thrilled to strengthen and formalize our work with KDIGO in Latin America," said SLANH President Jorge Rico Fontalvo, MD (Colombia). "By joining forces with KDIGO, we can ensure that our healthcare professionals have access to the most up-to-date research and best practices, which will improve patient outcomes across the region. We look forward to working together to bridge gaps in care and foster a unified approach to managing kidney disease.”

Pictured above: SLANH Secretary Vanessa Villavicencio, MD (Ecuador), SLANH Vice President Fabián Ortiz, MD (Ecuador), KDIGO Co-Chair Morgan Grams, MD (United States), KDIGO Co-Chair Michel Jadoul, MD (Belgium), and Gregorio T. Obrador, MD (Mexico), SLANH Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee Coordinator.

KDIGO has updated its Clinical Practice Guideline for Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), originally published in 2012. A draft of the KDIGO 2025 Anemia in CKD Guideline is now available for public review. We invite you to review this update and share your comments and suggestions. Based on feedback received during the public review period, KDIGO will prepare a final version for publication. Please submit your feedback no later than Friday, November 22.

Visit the KDIGO Anemia in CKD Guideline website to download the guideline draft and data supplement, and to submit comments via the feedback survey. Only completed surveys will be considered. Please note that by agreeing to provide feedback on a KDIGO draft guideline document, you permit KDIGO to acknowledge your participation as a reviewer in the final publication.



KDIGO greatly appreciates insights from the global nephrology community and their help in making this guideline as useful as possible for clinicians and patients.

KDIGO is launching its inaugural Guideline Methodology Fellowship, designed to educate and enrich early-career nephrologists while expanding the community of clinicians skilled in guideline development.

The KDIGO Methods Committee Fellowship will provide an exceptional opportunity to learn directly from global leaders in nephrology and methodology and gain formal training and first-hand experience in the world-renowned KDIGO guideline development process.

Immersion in KDIGO methodology will be an invaluable educational experience, which will equip fellows with expertise in evidence-based clinical practice guideline development, including how to grade the strength of evidence-based recommendations and certainty of evidence, the use of practice points, and how to address controversies through a structured consensus-building approach. KDIGO hopes the fellowship will have a profoundly positive impact on the careers of emerging nephrologists as well as the entire kidney disease field by cultivating future leaders in evidence-based practice.

KDIGO enthusiastically encourages anyone interested in the program to apply. Applications are due by Monday, January 6, 2025. Learn more.

Foundational Principles in the Role of Genetics for CKD Management

KDIGO Webinar Series

Tuesday, November 12, 4:00 PM (ET)

KDIGO is excited to share a new webinar series on implementing genetic testing for CKD. Join us for the first module, "Foundational Principles in the Role of Genetics in CKD Management," on Tuesday, November 12, at 4:00 PM EDT.

Professors Andrew Mallett, MD (Australia), Hila Rasouly, MD (United States), and Ali Gharavi, MD (United States) will discuss key messages from KDIGO guidelines on the prevalence of genetic causes of CKD and foundational principles in the role of genetics for CKD management. This webinar will also provide an overview of genetic testing logistics. Don't miss the first webinar in this exciting new series! Register.

Unraveling IgA Nephropathy: Understanding Key Drivers of Disease Progression and New Targets of Therapy

Live on Thursday, November 14, 12:00 PM (ET)

Register for "Unraveling IgA Nephropathy: Understanding Key Drivers of Disease Progression and New Targets of Therapy," a webinar focused on the latest insights and strategies in managing IgA Nephropathy (IgAN). The webinar will serve as a call to action to increase awareness of IgAN's often-silent symptoms, risk factors, and prognosis, as well as updated guidelines for diagnosis and risk stratification.

In this session, Jai Radhakrishnan, MD (United States) and Anjay Rastogi, MD (United States) will explore the importance of recognizing early IgAN indicators in at-risk populations, the role of B cells and the complement system in disease progression, and how these pathways drive inflammation, fibrosis, and proteinuria. The webinar will also cover KDIGO’s latest guidance and best practices in IgAN care. Register.

ISN-KDIGO Webinar: KDIGO Workshop on the Nurse's Role in Managing the Symptoms of People Receiving Dialysis

Tuesday, November 19, 9:00 AM (CET)

Join us for the next ISN-KDIGO webinar, "KDIGO Workshop on the Nurse's Role in Managing the Symptoms of People Receiving Dialysis," moderated by Zehra Aydin, MD (Turkey), with speakers Manfred Hecking, MD (Austria), Madeleine Warren (United Kingdom), and Paul Bennett (Australia).

Nephrology nurses have a pivotal role in the multidisciplinary assessment and management of symptoms experienced by people receiving dialysis. In December 2023, KDIGO held a workshop to collaboratively develop and recommend processes for articulating the important role of nurses in capturing and managing dialysis-associated symptoms. This webinar will discuss the symptoms patients on dialysis experience, the role of the nurse in symptom management, and the patient experience. Register.

A Case-Based Look at Recognizing, Diagnosing, and Managing Anemia Earlier in CKD

Virtual CME Webinar

Check out, "A Case-Based Look at Recognizing, Diagnosing, and Managing Anemia Earlier in CKD," with Matthew Weir, MD (United States).

This free CME webinar is designed to deepen understanding of anemia management in patients with dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (DD-CKD). This activity is ideal for nephrologists, primary care physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who manage patients with CKD.

This webinar focuses on the safety, efficacy, and clinical application of hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitors (HIF-PHIs) for treating DD-CKD anemia. HIF-PHIs are an emerging therapy with a unique mechanism of action, offering new possibilities for improving outcomes in this challenging area of care. Watch the webinar (registration and login required).

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. Learn more.