KDIGOKDOQI

KDIGOKDOQI is not the name of a single organization, but a compact reference that points to two major nephrology guideline initiatives: KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) and KDOQI (Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative). Both programs have shaped the evaluation and management of kidney disease, but they operate as distinct entities with different origins and scopes. Together, they have influenced clinical practice, quality metrics, and guideline development in nephrology.

KDIGO is an international collaborative established in 2003 by the International Society of Nephrology and kidney-related societies. Its mission is to develop and promote evidence-based guidelines for kidney disease that are globally applicable. KDIGO guidelines cover a wide range of topics, including the diagnosis and staging of chronic kidney disease (using eGFR and albuminuria), blood pressure targets in CKD, acute kidney injury, and mineral and bone disorder in CKD, among others. Guidelines are produced by international expert panels, subject to systematic reviews and public feedback, with updates typically issued every few years.

KDOQI was launched in 1997 by the National Kidney Foundation in the United States. It aimed to develop guidelines and quality indicators to standardize and improve kidney care within the U.S. health system. Major KDOQI areas included CKD staging and progression, anemia management, mineral and bone disorder, dialysis adequacy, and kidney transplantation. KDOQI also emphasized the development of practical quality metrics and implementation strategies to translate recommendations into clinical practice.

In practice, KDIGO guidelines are widely used worldwide, while KDOQI guidelines have historically shaped U.S. care and quality standards. The two programs are often viewed as complementary, with KDIGO providing global consensus and KDOQI offering region-specific guidance and historical Foundations for quality metrics.