Executive Summary of the KDIGO 2026 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
The KDIGO 2026 anemia guideline updates the 2012 version, covering diagnosis and evaluation of anemia in CKD, iron therapy, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, HIF-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors and red blood cell transfusion, with GRADE-rated recommendations and separate practice points.
Background
This executive summary presents the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) 2026 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease, an update to the guideline published in 2012. It was developed with patient partners, healthcare providers and researchers worldwide, with the aim of providing actionable recommendations for clinicians and patients.
Study design
The guideline followed an explicit process of evidence review and appraisal based on systematic reviews. Certainty of evidence and strength of recommendations were graded using the GRADE approach. Practice points offer clinical advice in areas not supported by a systematic review, and the limitations of the evidence are discussed.
Key findings
The scope covers four areas: diagnosis and evaluation of anemia in CKD; use of iron to treat iron deficiency and anemia in CKD; use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and hypoxia-inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors; and red blood cell transfusion. The document also sets out research recommendations to address knowledge gaps and discusses implications for policy and payment.
Clinical implications
The guideline is aimed at a broad audience of healthcare providers, affected individuals and other stakeholders in anemia and CKD care. Clinicians should consult the full guideline for the individual graded recommendations and practice points, which this summary abstract does not list.
Category
KDIGO
Source
Kidney Int
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