Section I: Use of the Guidelines
These guidelines are based upon the best information available at the time of publication. They are designed to provide information and assist decision-making. They are not intended to define a standard of care, and should not be construed as one. Neither should they be interpreted as prescribing an exclusive course of management. Individual judgment by responsible clinicians is paramount in treatment of chronic kidney disease.
Variations in practice will inevitably and appropriately occur when clinicians take into account the needs of individual patients, available resources, and limitations unique to an institution or type of practice. Every health-care professional making use of these guidelines is responsible for evaluating the appropriateness of applying them in the setting of any particular clinical situation.
The recommendations for research contained within this document are general and not meant to imply a specific protocol.
Section II: Development of the Guidelines
The National Kidney Foundation makes every effort to avoid any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of an outside relationship or a personal, professional, or business interest of a member of the Work Group.
Specifically, all members of the Work Group are required to complete, submit, and sign a Disclosure Questionnaire showing all such relationships that might be perceived as real or potential conflicts of interest. All affiliations are published in their entirety at the end of this publication in the biographical sketches of the Work Group members.
In citing this document, the following format should be used:
National Kidney Foundation. K/DOQI Clinical Practice Guidelines on Hypertension and Antihypertensive Agents in Chronic Kidney Disease. Am J Kidney Dis 43:S1-S290, 2004 (suppl 1)
These Guidelines, as well as all the other K/DOQI guidelines, can be accessed on the Internet at: www.kdoqi.org
The development of the K/DOQI Clinical Practice Guidelines on Hypertension and Antihypertensive Agents in Chronic Kidney Disease is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.
Support for implementation of these Guidelines was provided by Merck & Co. Inc.
The National Kidney Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of Amgen Inc., founding and principal sponsor of K/DOQI.