[50 years of nephrology: between science and organizing activities]

The contribution of Italians to the development of nephrology has been very important but not always recognized. Thus, historical accounts do not mention the fact that the concept of short dialysis (4 hours 3 times weekly) was invented in Parma in 1971 by the Italian nephrologist V. Cambi at the nephrology unit of the University Hospital chaired by Prof. L. Migone, although short dialysis is now the standard dialysis all over the world. Poorly known facts concerning the Italian Society of Nephrology (SIN) described in this paper include the proposal, in 1980, of the creation of a new scientific society of nephrology made up only of university doctors, which was rejected but a college of university professors of nephrology created instead; and the reduction, in 1986, of the duration of the term of office of the SIN president from 3 to 2 years, with a hospital and a university nephrologist serving alternating terms. Poorly known facts concerning EDTA-ERA include the action to involve the presidents of the national societies of nephrology in Europe in the organization of EDTA congresses to prevent the creation of a new European society of nephrology, the result of which was the transformation, in 1983, of EDTA into EDTA-ERA (European Renal Association). On 20 November 2001 the Fondazione Italiana del Rene (FIR) was founded in Naples, which subsequently (on 16 September 2009) became a foundation of the SIN.