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Who can access the evidence that informs practice, and how quickly does that evidence reach the bedside? As Kidney International Reports® (KIR) celebrates its 10th anniversary throughout 2026, these two questions are as pertinent as ever for clinicians and researchers working in kidney care.  

Reflections from KIR’s Editor-in-Chief Jai Radhakrishnan and Deputy Editor Sumit Mohan highlight how the journal’s editorial decisions, including a commitment to open access and a focus on practice-relevant research, have supported wider access to kidney research and more timely translation of evidence into practice over the past decade. 

Open access that expands who learns, uses, and acts on evidence 

Since its launch, KIR has been a fully open-access journal, a decision that has had far-reaching consequences for who can engage with kidney science and how quickly evidence can influence care. 

 “Open access has fundamentally changed who can read, use, and build on work published in KIR,” said Professor Radhakrishnan. “Clinicians in low- and middle-income countries, trainees without institutional subscriptions, nurses, pharmacists, and policymakers have all been able to access content easily and quickly.” 

Open access has also expanded who participates in scientific dialogue. “The open model has enabled patient advocates and patient organizations to engage directly with primary research, supporting more informed discussions about care, policy, and advocacy,” added Dr. Mohan. 

Evolving research practices and faster translation to care 

This open access has had practical implications. It has been especially important for research that informs real-world practice, including consensus statements, implementation studies, and pragmatic trials, where broad and rapid uptake can directly affect patient care.  

According to Dr. Mohan, one of the most striking changes has been the speed of translation, how quickly new findings move from publication to clinical guidance. “New evidence and concepts are reaching guideline discussions much more quickly than they did a decade ago,” he noted. “The translational pipeline is much shorter.” 

At the same time, the nature of kidney research has evolved significantly. Over the past decade, nephrology has seen a marked increase in high-quality randomized trials, particularly in IgA nephropathy, lupus nephritis, and diabetic and chronic kidney disease, strengthening the evidence base in long-overdue ways.  

“There has also been an explosion of large-scale observational studies using electronic health records and registries, alongside a growing emphasis on implementation science, patient-reported outcomes, and health equity,” observed Professor Radhakrishnan. Together, these shifts are helping generate evidence that is not only more robust but also more relevant to diverse patient populations and everyday clinical practice.  

As the anniversary celebrations continue, KIR remains committed to connecting high-quality research with kidney care delivery and to shaping what the next decade of nephrology publishing can achieve.