Chronic kidney disease (CKD) involves a gradual loss of kidney function. Advanced CKD can cause dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and waste to build up in the body as the kidneys ability to filter and eliminate excess fluids from the blood decreases.
CKD is a common condition often associated with getting older. It increases the risk of having heart and blood vessel disease. Early detection and treatment can often keep CKD from getting worse.
In Japan, the art of kintsugi repairs broken pottery with adhesive and powdered gold, transforming fracture into renewed strength. As the global kidney care community prepares to gather in Yokohama for WCN’26, Japan’s approach to kidney health offers a compelling parallel: working with impairment to preserve function, extending quality of life in an aging society, and continuously strengthening systems of care through early detection and...
Ready to advance your interventional nephrology (IN) skills? ISN IN Scholarships offer hands-on training and structured mentorship to help you strengthen procedural practice in your home institution. Learn more about ISN Interventional Nephrology Scholarships and apply For ISN IN scholar Odalina Marrero, the scholarship addressed pressing needs in her home country, the Dominican Republic, where kidney care is advancing but access to specialized procedures remains limited...
From Africa to East Asia, ISN leaders are engaging with regional kidney care communities this March, sharing expertise, training opportunities, and strengthening connections that help advance equitable kidney care worldwide. Ethiopian Kidney Association’s 2nd Annual Nephrology Conference March 7, 2026 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Robert Walker, chair of the ISN Core Programs Committee, will present virtually on ISN Grants, outlining pathways for ISN members to access support and build local capacity. Japan Kidney Masterclass March 7, 2026 Tokyo, Japan Hosted by the Japanese Society of Nephrology, the masterclass will...
Virtual registration brings the World Congress of Nephrology 2026 straight to you, no matter where you are. As a virtual delegate, you get access to live streaming of all 13 sessions in the Main Hall (Plenary Hall) from March 28–31, with live transcriptions in Japanese and English and more than 50 other languages. You will also have access to over 100 hours of...
For many nephrologists, an ISN Fellowship is more than advanced training; it is a turning point in what becomes possible for patients and kidney care teams back home. “The ISN Fellowship program represented a pivotal moment in my professional journey,” reflects Christina Amira (Nigeria), ISN Fellow from 2003–2004. “Upon returning to my home country, I successfully established a...
What does it take to move from policy commitments to real improvements in kidney care, and how can those lessons be applied across regions? On March 28, 2026*, the Professor Donal O'Donoghue Global Kidney Policy Forum (PDOGKPF) will bring together policymakers, clinical leaders, and advocates to explore practical ways to strengthen kidney care systems in the ISN North and East Asia region, focusing on approaches that translate into measurable progress for patients. Held at the WCN'26 in...
Early detection of kidney disease is critical to preventing complications and improving outcomes. Yet, in many settings, non-physician healthcare professionals are the first and sometimes only point of contact for at-risk populations. A new ISN Academy curriculum, Empowering Non-Physician Healthcare Workers: Early Kidney Disease Detection and Care, aims to strengthen frontline kidney care by equipping non-physician healthcare professionals with practical, accessible...
Kidney International® Establishing a core outcome measure for life participation in children with chronic kidney disease: A Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology—children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease (SONG-Kids) consensus workshop report Life participation is a priority for children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet it is rarely measured consistently in pediatric CKD trials. Through international consensus workshops involving patients,...
The ISN and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, formalizing a long-term collaboration to strengthen global action on diabetes-related kidney disease. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease, and together these conditions affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Recognizing their shared risk factors and growing global burden, the ISN and the IDF...
Kidney International® Strategies for the development of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors for kidney protection in pediatric chronic kidney disease: proceedings of a workshop meeting in July 2023 There are currently no approved therapies to slow chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression across the diverse causes of pediatric CKD, despite evidence that sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) slow kidney disease...
Across the kidney care community, there are individuals whose work consistently sets standards — advancing research, strengthening education, and leading clinical innovation. These are people whose expertise is trusted, whose leadership shapes practice, and whose contributions extend well beyond their own institutions. Formal recognition does not always keep pace with the scale or reach of this...
Caring for women with chronic kidney disease (CKD) during pregnancy presents complex clinical challenges, spanning fertility, preconception counselling, pregnancy management, and postpartum care. The ISN Pregnancy and Kidney Disease Toolkit Curriculum* provides practical, evidence-based guidance to support confident decision-making in these scenarios — now accredited for 3 CME credits at the ISN Academy. Explore the curriculum The modules expand on the ISN Pregnancy and Kidney Disease Toolkit*, providing...
A recent Kidney International® editorial showcases the ISN-Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) Interactive Map, an open-access tool that enables clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and advocates to identify gaps and target areas where kidney care improvements are most needed. Read the full paper in Kidney International® Consolidating data from the 2019 and 2023 ISN-GKHA surveys, the map: Compares kidney care capacity between countries and regions Tracks trends and measures progress over time Visualizes key indicators like workforce, infrastructure, and policies Provides evidence to guide research, advocacy, and policy initiatives Explore...
Kidney International® Executive summary of the KDIGO 2026 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) The KDIGO 2026 guideline updates the management of anemia in CKD in light of new evidence and emerging therapies since the 2012 update. It provides evidence-based recommendations on diagnosis and treatment, including iron therapy, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, hypoxia-inducible factor–prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors,...
Visual featured in the KIR editorial on its 10th anniversary To mark 10 years of the ISN Journal Kidney International Reports® (KIR), we spoke with Editor-in-Chief Jai Radhakrishnan and Deputy Editor Sumit Mohan about the journal’s origins, defining moments, and how its mission has evolved over the past decade. Explore all ISN Journals Creating a home for...
Delegates and faculty at the ISN Primer Course in Glomerular Diseases in Taipei, Taiwan The latest edition of the ISN Primer Course in Glomerular Diseases took place in Taipei, Taiwan, as a pre-congress course at the 23rd Asian Pacific Congress of Nephrology in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of Taiwan Society of Nephrology, bringing together 99 delegates from 15 countries, along with faculty and representatives from supporting partners. The course provided clinicians with up-to-date guidance on diagnosing, interpreting, and managing the...
The ISN congratulates four kidney care centers in ISN’s Oceania and South-East Asia (OSEA) region that have earned ISN Regional Training Center (RTC) status: Thailand: Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University Philippines: National Kidney and Transplant Institute Malaysia: Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar Seremban Fiji: Colonial War Memorial Hospital These centers now serve as regional hubs where ISN Grants intersect, providing nephrologists with opportunities to access training, mentorship, and global networks that ultimately...
Across the ISN’s research groups and committees, this year has been defined by one theme: Turning global collaboration into real-world impact. From uncovering the drivers of chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) to strengthening renal registries and shaping the next wave of clinical trials, these groups have been steadily building momentum — work...
This year, the ISN Continuing Medical Education (CME) Program continued to bring kidney care education closer to the professionals who need it most. From regional conferences to hands-on workshops, the program supported nine events in 2025, each confirming the same story: When nephrologists gain practical, context-driven skills, their confidence grows — and that confidence...
Kidney International® Implementing the commitments of the WHO Kidney Health Resolution: Initial steps in three diverse settings Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 850 million people globally, with the highest burden in low- and middle-income countries. The WHA78 kidney health resolution offers a unique opportunity to advance prevention and care. This editorial presents case studies from Guatemala, Thailand,...
