What was the rationale for the recommendation of SBP <120 mm Hg for CKD patients with concomitant diabetes being classified as weak in the GRADE system?
The Work Group debated whether to provide a strong recommendation for an SBP target of at least <140 mm Hg for all patients with CKD, together with separate recommendations for lower SBP (<120 mm Hg) targets in specified subgroups. This more complex alternative was eventually rejected, on the basis that it would probably persuade clinicians to continue to adopt an SBP target of <140 mm Hg for all CKD patients, thus denying many patients the potential advantages of tighter control. A strong recommendation implies that most patients and caregivers would want the recommended course of action, whereas a weak recommendation states that the majority of people would want the recommended course of action, but some would not.