7 Best Nephrology Textbooks (2024 Review)

When it comes to knowing about the kidneys, kidney diseases, kidney function, and infections, an in-depth Nephrology textbook will be required.

High-quality Nephrology textbooks that cover all the important aspects of the subject matter as well as provide useful illustrations and photographs are not easy to come by these days.

best nephrology textbooks

Best Nephrology Textbooks: Our Top 7 Picks

Even if you do find a textbook that ticks all the right checkboxes you might find that the text and writing style is not very easy to digest which will make comprehension quite difficult.

To help you out, we’ve researched the market and picked out the 7 best Nephrology textbooks for you.

1. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology

 

Written and edited by world leaders in nephrology, Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology is based on the intellect of notable nephrologists looking to offer a simplistic approach to help readers, students, and professionals in the field grasp the subject. The book provides current information on clinical procedures and conditions as well as scientific facts and pathophysiology.

This edition comes with new chapters on common issues regarding prescribing in kidney disease, palliative nephrology, pathophysiology of chronic kidney disease, and outcomes of dialysis. We also find the new quick-reference boxes quite useful during the review.

Though extensive, finding the information you need should not be a problem in this book, it features color-coded algorithms that provide easy access to key content: yellow boxes for general information, green boxes for therapeutic intervention, and blue boxes for necessary investigations.

With over 1,500 full-color illustrations, you should be able to make out the meaning of the text and gain a full understanding of a full range of kidney conditions and clinical management.

  • Author: Richard J. Johnson MD, John Feehally DM FRCP, Jurgen Floege MD FERA, Marcello Tonelli MD SM FRCPC
  • Publisher‏: Elsevier
  • Current edition: 6th edition, September 2018
  • Pages: 1360 pages

2. CURRENT Diagnosis & Treatment Nephrology & Hypertension

 

Though this book is the product of just a few authors, it goes the extra mile in covering the important aspects of Nephrology as well as providing guidelines and procedures for the diagnosis, understanding, and treatment of kidney problems and hypertension in adult patients.

Present in an easy-to-follow format, this edition delivers incisive, ready-to-use management protocols and valuable therapeutic guidelines based on real-life experiences from authors who are well-recognized in their fields.

Within the book are fifty-nine chapters that deliver a one-of-a-kind overview of all major diseases and disorders, from end-stage renal disease to primary and secondary hypertension.

It also includes reviews of subspecialty considerations: dialysis, transplantation, and critical care nephrology while laying critical emphasis on the clinical aspects of kidney care.

Turning through the pages, you will notice that the chapters are well-formatted to make it easy to locate important information on critical aspects like diagnosis, testing, disease processes, and the latest treatment and management strategies.

Whether you’re a clinical refresher, a member of a school board, or a student looking for the right reference to Nephrology and all there is to the specialty, this text offers all the right details in a perfect structure that promotes quick and easy learning.

  • Author: Edgar V. Lerma, Mitchell Rosner, Mark Perazella
  • Publisher: ‎ McGraw-Hill Education / Medical
  • Current edition: 2nd edition, January 2018
  • Pages: ‎ 848 pages

3. Pocket Nephrology

 

Outstanding and pithy, Pocket Nephrology succinctly summarizes key topics for the busy practicing nephrologist. Though it is not as bulky or extensive as most textbooks on the market, this material is a practical, high-yield reference offering current, evidence-based practices and expert guidance that will provide useful in the field, laboratory, or while studying for exams.

The book comes in an easy-to-use loose-leaf format that makes it a great pick for students or professionals in need of a portable diagnosis and treatment reference. The book can also provide the information needed for a quick dosage check and details on complex glomerular diseases and acid-base physiology.

Unlike other materials you might have come across, this text mirrors the thought process of nephrologists in day-to-day practice and offers the latest clinical guidelines and new therapeutic recommendations.

To make reading easier, the book is populated with bulleted lists, tables, diagrams, and algorithms that will help you identify the most important topics and details. It will also you to retain information making it ideal for students as well as practicing nephrology consultants with years of experience.

  • Author: Wooin Ahn MD, Dr. Jai Radhakrishnan M.D.
  • Publisher: ‎ LWW
  • Current edition: First edition, November 2019
  • Pages: ‎304 pages

4. Nephrology Secrets

 

If you learn best by answering questions related to your topic, this book is for you. While not comprehensive for nephrology, it covers a multitude of topics and answers questions related to them in an easy-to-understand format.

Starting with definitions and running through etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, imaging, and treatment, this book comes highly recommended this book for students, advanced-level practitioners, and doctors alike

Nephrology Secrets is written and fully updated by global experts and thought leaders in nephrology. The format features top 100 Secrets and Key Points boxes that provide a fast overview of the secrets you must know for success in practice and on exams.

For those who would like to move around with their reading materials, this book comes in a portable size that makes it less of a burden to take to class or the library. This makes it easy to carry with you for quick reference or review anywhere, anytime.

With over 600 pages of clear illustrations, figures, and flow diagrams, this material provides a deep insight into the concepts of nephrology including home dialysis, onco-nephrology, and palliative care nephrology.

  • Author: Edgar V. Lerma MD FACP FASN FAHA, Matthew A Sparks MD, Joel Topf MD
  • Publisher: ‎ Elsevier
  • Current edition: 4th edition April 2018
  • Pages: 656 pages

5. Nephrology in 30 Days

 

If you’re looking for a simplistic textbook on Nephrology designed to help you grasp the topics, trends, and basics of nephrology in a short amount of time, then Nephrology in 30 Days should be the book on your mind.

This book offers a fast, innovative way to learn the core principles and clinical entities associated with nephrology at the point of care. It enables you to quickly and easily attain a complete understanding of the basics of nephrology, allowing you to successfully diagnose and manage kidney disease and its associated complications.

Though the feat might sound unattainable, this book is designed to impact knowledge in just 30 days. It will serve as a self-instructional tool for medical students and physician assistants, however, nephrologists might find the text too simple and not comprehensive enough.

Overall, this text is the most effective way to gain a solid understanding of acute and chronic kidney diseases, disturbances of fluid and electrolyte balance, and disorders of acid-base in the shortest amount of time possible. Consider it a way to quickly prepare for an exam, practical, or assessment with only a bit of time to spare.

  • Author: Robert Reilly, Mark Perazella
  • Publisher: ‎McGraw-Hill Education / Medical
  • Current edition: 2nd edition September 2013
  • Pages: 416 pages

6. Critical Care Nephrology

 

Comprehensive and clinically relevant, Critical Care Nephrology provides authoritative coverage of the latest advances in critical care procedures for patients with renal diseases or disorders.

Rather than being complex, this book makes use of common guidelines and standardized approaches to critically ill patients to facilitate better communication among all physicians who care for critically ill patients suffering from kidney disease and other related problems.

From the first page, you will notice detailed discussions of different forms of organ support, artificial organs, infections, and much more. The book also places a special emphasis on therapeutic interventions and treatment procedures.

You won’t have a problem with clarity with this book as the information is presented in a format designed for easy reference – from basic sciences to clinical syndromes to diagnostic tools.

It also addresses other key topics that are barely touched by other nephrology textbooks. This includes areas of acute kidney injury, stress biomarkers, and sepsis.

Though not the biggest book on our list, this text is extensive with up-to-date information on extracorporeal therapies, pathological events, and other aspects of nephrology.

  • Author: Claudio Ronco MD, Rinaldo Bellomo MBBS(Hons) MD FRACP FCCP, John Kellum MD, Zaccaria Ricci
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • Current edition: 3rd edition, December 2017
  • Pages: 1456 pages

7. Manual of Nephrology

 

For over 20 years, the Manual of Nephrology has remained one of the best references for practitioners, nephrologists, and students, and still remains the best manual of nephrology available.

The latest edition offers completely updated yet consistent information on the field of nephrology. It provides the best in expert scientific research and clinical recommendations on the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic kidney disease.

The entirety of the book aims to offer you solid, practical guidance on common renal problems—causes, symptoms, treatments, and complications. The chapters cover topics on electrolyte and acid-base disorders, UTIs, kidney stones, glomerulonephritis and vasculitis, and many more.

To make comprehension a lot easier, the book is structured in a time-saving outline format for easy quick-reference. You will also find practical guidelines on drug dosing in patients with impaired kidney function, with specific recommendations on more than 500 drugs.

With so much information to cover, it is just surprising that this book is just about 450 pages long. This makes it a great pick for readers on a budget but still looking for a detailed learning tool.

  • Author: Robert W. Schrier MD
  • Publisher:‎ LWW
  • Current edition: Eighth Edition, July 2014
  • Pages:‎ 456 pages