Current State and Future of Private Practice Nephrology in the United States.

Chronic kidney disease remains highly prevalent and exerts a heavy economic burden. The practice of nephrology has come a long way in managing this disease, though there remains room for improvement. The private domain, where more than half of the adult nephrology workforce operates, faces serious challenges.

Short course induction immunosuppression with thymoglobulin for renal transplant recipients.

Background: The aim of this study was to demonstrate that 3-days of induction immunosuppression with thymoglobulin was as effective and safe as a 7-day course and reduced initial hospitalization after transplantation.

Methods: This was a prospective, nonrandomized trial of 40 consecutive patients receiving thymoglobulin induction for 3 days and followed for 1 year. An historical group of 48 patients that received 7 days of thymoglobulin served as controls.