Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) life cycle of guideline development series: part 3: evidence...

In this part of the Methods Series, we describe how Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines move from a defined scope of work to evidence synthesis that will later translate into guideline statements. We review how key questions are defined, outcomes prioritized, and evidence identified and selected. We also outline how evidence is synthesized using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology and how guidelines can contribute to the generation of new evidence. This paper highlights frequently asked questions from KDIGO guideline users and illustrates unique aspects of how KDIGO applies agreed-upon best practices that ensure methodological rigor in guideline development.