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.
Primary care is often the first point of contact for people with emerging health concerns, making primary care physicians central to the early detection and long-term management of kidney disease. Early identification in these settings is critical, as many kidney diseases are diagnosed at later stages, while timely intervention can slow progression and improve outcomes. The ISN has...
ISN member Kristin Veighey presents at the ISN-EFIM joint session at ECIM 2026 At the European Congress of Internal Medicine (ECIM) 2026, the ISN and the European Federation of Internal Medicine (EFIM) held a joint session highlighting the importance of kidney health in internal medicine. Janaka Karalliedde speaks at the ISN-EFIM joint session at ECIM...
Kidney International® A secondary analysis of the TESTING trial predicted individual patient response to corticosteroid treatment in IgA nephropathy This study addressed how to better target corticosteroid treatment in IgA nephropathy, (IgAN) where benefits must be weighed against important side effects. Using a secondary analysis of the TESTING trial, the authors developed a model to predict each patient’s likely response to...
What if better research approaches could help take the “unknown” out of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu)? Launched at WCN’26, the new ISN i3C CKDu Toolkit* is designed to help build research capacity in CKDu-endemic regions by strengthening study design and implementation through consistent approaches to case definitions, exposure assessment, and outcome measurement. Explore the ISN i3C Toolkit It offers practical guidance to strengthen the rigor,...
From unmet needs in immune-mediated kidney diseases to therapeutic advances in C3G, WCN’26 Industry Sessions explored some of the most pressing topics in global kidney care today. Session recordings are open access and available on demand at the ISN Academy. Explore all industry symposia at the ISN Academy Discover dozens of sessions offering fresh perspectives on emerging science and new developments to help you stay up to date...
Khaled Batis’ colleagues in Al-Mukalla, marking the establishment of the first diagnostic kidney biopsy service in eastern Yemen ISN Fellow, Khaled Batis, from Yemen, and his team at the Al-Mukalla Kidney Center and the Al-Borj Consultant Hospital, have helped establish the first kidney biopsy service in eastern Yemen. According to Dr. Batis, this service provides access to “a crucial diagnostic tool for glomerular and other complex kidney diseases in the region.” Such initiatives from...
Ten years ago, Kidney International Reports® (KIR) launched with a clear mission: to expand access to high-quality kidney research and ensure that important discoveries reach clinicians, researchers, and health systems worldwide. Over the past decade, the journal has published studies that have shaped care and policy, fostered opportunities for early-career researchers to contribute and collaborate, and elevated voices...
NephJC has extended the conversation around WCN’26 late-breaking trials with expert commentary on selected studies presented in Yokohama, including the ASSIST trial, 24-month data from APPLAUSE-IGAN, and new analyses from the CONFIDENCE trial. Read the commentaries A video interview recorded onsite at WCN’26 in Yokohama features NephJC Founding Editor-in-Chief Swapnil Hiremath and Managing Editor Cristina Popa discussing selected late-breaking...
Kidney International® Uremia and parathyroid hormone have distinct effects on bone protein and gene expression People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remain at high risk of fractures despite treatment aimed at maintaining parathyroid hormone at acceptable levels. This study examined the distinct effects of uremia and parathyroid hormone on bone in patients on hemodialysis and controls. The authors...
The 44th Vicenza Course AKI-CRRT-EBPT and Critical Care Nephrology 2026 will take place from June 16-18, 2026, at the Vicenza International Convention Centre in Vicenza, Italy. This hands-on course for beginner and advanced kidney care professionals explores the latest advances in acute kidney injury, from diagnosis and treatment strategies to emerging therapies to help prevent progression to chronic kidney disease. Explore the preliminary scientific...
The ISN “Are your kidneys healthy?” quiz webpage has been refreshed with a new design that makes key kidney health information easier to explore. Access the “Are your kidneys healthy?” quiz Available in 35 languages, the quiz helps better understand kidney function, risk factors, and steps they can take to protect their kidney health. Share the quiz with your patients to open a dialogue about...
The winning film* of the ISN Community Film Event, “Aurenis Choir: A Song of Hope” is a moving story from Argentina that reminds us that kidney care is not only about medicine, but also about connection, creativity, and hope. The Aurenis Choir was founded on World Kidney Day 2024 with the aim of creating a space for community, art, and meaning alongside...
Kidney International® Modern challenges in infection prevention: encapsulated organisms in the era of novel complement inhibitors This mini review examines infection prevention in patients receiving novel complement inhibitors, with a focus on serious infections caused by encapsulated organisms. It outlines practical strategies, including vaccination, antibiotic prophylaxis, and patient education. The authors stress that these therapies offer important benefits...
Featured in the March edition of Kidney International Reports®, the ISN Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) cohort 3 article, “Expanding kidney care: How non-physician health workers can address the global CKD crisis,” explores how non-physician healthcare professionals can help strengthen chronic kidney disease detection, referral, and care beyond specialist settings. Read the paper At WCN’26, cohort 3 members will take this conversation further through examples from India, Fiji, Nigeria,...
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...
