, more vs. less testing, some vs. no testing Comparator Active or placebo Outcomes Measures of compliance, cardiovascular outcomes, mortality Design RCTs or systematic reviews Minimum duration of follow-up 6 months Minimum N of subjects Z50 per arm Abbreviations: AKI, acute kidney injury; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; CKD, chronic kidney disease; ESRD, end-stage renal disease; GFR, glomerular filtration rate; HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; NA, not applicable; RCT, randomized controlled trial; SCr, serum creatinine; TC, total cholesterol; TG, triglyceride. methods for guideline development Ranking of Outcomes The Work Group ranked outcomes of interest on the basis of their importance for informing clinical decision making (Table 7). Mortality, cardiovascular mortality, cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events, ESRD, and graft failure were considered to be of critical importance; doubling of SCr and halving of GFR, high importance; and change in TC, LDL-C, or HDL-C or TG, moderate importance. The importance of adverse events was considered to depend on the event severity. Literature Searches and Article Selection Systematic search strategies were developed by the ERT with input from the Work Group Co-Chairs. Modules were created for RCTs, kidney disease, dyslipidemia, and lipid- lowering agents. For the primary search, search terms were limited to the year 2000 and later to capture trials that would affect current clinical practice and because the KDOQI dyslipidemia guideline covered through 2000. Five new topics were added to the KDOQI systematic review for studies in the general population: effect of diet or lifestyle modification; an update of drug interactions with statins and fibrates; changes in LDL-C levels associated with various statins; adverse events from statin and fibrate use; and frequency of lipid-level testing. These searches were not restricted to 2000 and later. 