The most common examples include recommendations regarding monitoring intervals, counseling, and referral to other clinical specialists. The ungraded recommendations are generally written as simple declarative statements, but are not meant to be interpreted as being stronger recommendations than Level 1 or 2 recommendations. Table 15 | Determinants of strength of recommendation Factor Comment Balance between desirable and undesirable effects The larger the difference between the desirable and undesirable effects, the more likely a strong recommendation is warranted. The narrower the gradient, the more likely a weak recommendation is warranted. Quality of the evidence The higher the quality of evidence, the more likely a strong recommendation is warranted. Values and preferences The more variability in values and preferences, or the more uncertainty in values and preferences, the more likely a weak recommendation is warranted. Values and preferences were obtained from the literature where possible or were assessed in the judgment of the Work Group where robust evidence was not identified. Costs (resource allocation) The higher the costs of an intervention that is, the more resources consumed the less likely a strong recommendation is warranted. methods for guideline development Table 16 | The Conference on Guideline Standardization (COGS)112 checklist for reporting clinical practice guidelines Topic Description Discussed in KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for Lipid Management in Chronic Kidney Disease 1. Overview material Provide a structured abstract that includes the guideline s release date, status (original, revised, updated), and print and electronic sources. Abstract and Methods for Guideline Development. 2. Focus Describe the primary disease/condition and intervention/ service/technology that the guideline addresses. Indicate any alternative preventative, diagnostic or therapeutic interventions that were considered during development. Management of elevated levels of TC, LDL-C, or HDL-C or TGs and lipid-lowering agents in adults and children with CKD (non-dialysis-dependent or dialysis) or a kidney transplant. 3. 