Validation of current and promising surrogate outcomes for ESRD in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) has been limited. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs to further inform the ability of surrogate outcomes for ESRD to predict the efficacy of various interventions on ESRD. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL (from inception through September 2013) were searched. All RCTs in adults with proteinuria, diabetes, or CKD stages 1-4 or renal transplant recipients reporting $10 ESRD events and a surrogate outcome (change in proteinuria or doubling of serum creatinine [DSCR]) for ESRD during a $1-year follow-up were included. Two reviewers abstracted trial characteristics and outcome data independently. To assess the correlation between the surrogate outcomes and ESRD, we determined the treatment effect ratio (TER), defined as the ratio of the treatment effects on ESRD and the effects on the change in surrogate outcomes. TERs close to 1 indicate greater agreement between ESRD and the surrogate, and these ratios were pooled across interventions. We identified 27 trials (97,458 participants; 4187 participants with ESRD). Seven trials reported the effects on change in proteinuria and showed consistent effects for proteinuria and ESRD (TER, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.59 to 1.16), with minimal heterogeneity. Twenty trials reported on DSCR. Treatment effects on DSCR were consistent with the effects on ESRD (TER, 0.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.85 to 1.14), with moderate heterogeneity. In conclusion, DSCR is generally a good surrogate for ESRD, whereas data on proteinuria were limited. Further assessment of the surrogacy of proteinuria using prospective RCTs is warranted. CKD is commonly defined as a GFR,60 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 or the presence of markers of kidney damage, including proteinuria. 1 The global burden of CKD is increasing, with a prevalence of 10%-16% worldwide. 2 The clinical management of people with CKD has been difficult, particularly for those with irreversible kidney failure or ESRD. Preserving kidney function and slowing the progression of kidney disease is thus important. In measuring the efficacy of interventions in clinical trials focusing on this strategy, ESRD (defined as long-term dialysis or kidney transplantation) is the most definitive outcome in kidney disease. However, kidney disease often progresses slowly over many years. This presents logistic challenges in the conduct of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) because long follow-up and extensive resources are required. These considerations 4 There is considerable interest in using proteinuria or smaller changes in serum creatinine or eGFR as surrogate outcomes. 5-7 However, rigorous validation of a surrogate outcome is needed before it can be implemented in large-scale trials. We therefore conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs, irrespective of intervention or comparator, in adults with proteinuria, diabetes, CKD stages 1-4, or renal transplant recipients to further inform the ability of surrogate...