Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease happens when the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood normally. This damage can cause wastes to build up in the body.

Programs + Services


Clinical Nutrition

The Division of Clinical Nutrition at Tufts Medical Center provides inpatient and outpatient nutritional services.
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Kidney and Blood Pressure Center

The Tufts MC Kidney and Blood Pressure Center provides both one-time consultations and ongoing care for chronic or acute kidney disease and high blood pressure.
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Kidney Function Evaluation Center

The Tufts MC Kidney Function Evaluation Center provides comprehensive testing and GFR assessment to help slow the progression of chronic kidney disease.
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Kidney Transplantation

Tufts Medical Center’s Kidney Transplant Center provides specialized care, evaluation and management from our locations in Wellesley, Framingham, and Boston.
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Doctors + Care Team

Ronald D. Perrone, MD

Ronald D. Perrone, MD

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Accepting New Patients

Virtual Appointments Available

Title(s): Scientific Director, Clinical and Translational Research Center; Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Medicine, Nephrology, Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC)
Appt. Phone: 617-636-5866
Fax #: 617-636-2369

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)

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Edward Saltzman, MD

Edward Saltzman, MD

Title(s): Chief, Division of Clinical Nutrition; Director, Adult Nutrition Support Services; Associate Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine; Dean for Education, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University
Department(s): Medicine, Clinical Nutrition
Appt. Phone:
Fax #:

Enteral and parenteral nutrition

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Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS

Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS

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Accepting New Patients

Virtual Appointments Available

Title(s): Chief, Division of Nephrology; Director, Research Training Program; Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Medicine, Nephrology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-5866
Fax #: 617-636-2369

Dialysis, general nephrology, chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetic kidney disease, glomerular disease, vasculitis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease in patients with kidney disease, acute kidney disease, acute kidney injury and kidney stones

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Scott J. Gilbert, MD

Scott J. Gilbert, MD

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Accepting New Patients

Virtual Appointments Available

Title(s): Director, Fellowship Training Program; Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Medicine, Nephrology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-5866
Fax #: 617-636-2369

Kidney transplantation, systemic lupus erythematosus, dialysis, general nephrology, chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetic kidney disease, glomerular disease, vasculitis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease in patients with kidney disease, acute kidney disease, acute kidney injury and kidney stones

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picture of Andrew S. Greenberg, MD

Andrew S. Greenberg, MD

Title(s): Endocrinologist; Dr. Robert and Veronica Atkins Professor in Metabolism and Nutrition, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Medicine, Clinical Nutrition, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Appt. Phone:
Fax #:

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Caroline M. Hsu, MD, MS

Caroline M. Hsu, MD, MS

Accepting New Patients

Title(s): Nephrologist
Department(s): Nephrology, William B. Schwartz Division of Nephrology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-5866
Fax #: 617-636-2369

Hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, end-stage kidney disease, chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury

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Lesley A.  Inker, MD, MS

Lesley A. Inker, MD, MS

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Accepting New Patients

Virtual Appointments Available

Title(s): Director, Kidney and Blood Pressure Center; Director, Kidney Function and Evaluation Center; Director, Quality Improvement; Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Medicine, Nephrology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-5866
Fax #: 617-636-2369

Geriatric nephrology, pregnancy, HIV-associated kidney disease, kidney transplantation, kidney donor evaluation, medical treatment for kidney failure without dialysis, kidney function evaluation (GFR), general nephrology, chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetic kidney disease, glomerular disease, vasculitis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease in patients with kidney disease, acute kidney disease, acute kidney injury and kidney stones

View Full Profile for Lesley A. Inker, MD, MS

Amy Kuhlik, MD

Amy Kuhlik, MD

Accepting New Patients

Title(s): Nephrologist; Dean for Student Affairs and Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Medicine, Nephrology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-5866
Fax #: 617-636-2369

Pregnancy, general nephrology, chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetic kidney disease, glomerular disease, vasculitis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease in patients with kidney disease, acute kidney disease, acute kidney injury and kidney stones

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Andrew S. Levey, MD

Andrew S. Levey, MD

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Virtual Appointments Available

Title(s): Chief Emeritus, Division of Nephrology; Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine; Dr. Gerald J and Dorothy R. Friedman Professor Emeritus, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Medicine, Nephrology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-5866
Fax #: 617-636-2369

Kidney function evaluation (GFR), chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetic kidney disease, glomerular disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease in patients with kidney disease, acute kidney disease, acute kidney injury and kidney stones

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Joel B. Mason, MD

Joel B. Mason, MD

Accepting New Patients

Virtual Appointments Available

Title(s): Gastroenterologist; Professor, Tufts University Schools of Medicine and Friedman School of Nutritional Science and Policy; Senior Scientist and Director, Vitamins and Carcinogenesis Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University
Department(s): Medicine, Clinical Nutrition, Gastroenterology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-5883
Fax #: 617-636-1480

Malabsorption and unintentional weight loss, Inflammatory bowel disease, nutritional aspects of gastrointestinal disease, home nutritional therapy, enteral and parenteral nutrition

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Klemens B. Meyer, MD

Klemens B. Meyer, MD

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Accepting New Patients

Virtual Appointments Available

Title(s): Medical Director, Dialysis Clinic, Inc., Boston and Walden Pond, Concord, MA; Director Dialysis Services, Tufts Medical Center; Medical Director for Home Dialysis, Dialysis Clinics, Inc, Somerville, MA; Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Medicine, Nephrology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-5866
Fax #: 617-636-5539

Dialysis, home dialysis, medical treatment for kidney failure without dialysis, general nephrology, chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetic kidney disease, glomerular disease, vasculitis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease in patients with kidney disease, acute kidney disease, acute kidney injury and kidney stones

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Dana C. Miskulin, MD, MS

Dana C. Miskulin, MD, MS

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Accepting New Patients

Virtual Appointments Available

Title(s): Nephrologist; Associate Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Medicine, Nephrology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-5866
Fax #: 617-636-2369

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD), dialysis, home dialysis, general nephrology, chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetic kidney disease, glomerular disease, vasculitis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease in patients with kidney disease, acute kidney disease, acute kidney injury and kidney stones

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Research + Clinical Trials


The AFFINITY Study: A trial for patients with kidney disease caused by Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), Immunoglobulin A (IgA) Nephropathy, Diabetic Kidney Diseases (DKD), or Alport Syndrome. 

The purpose of this clinical trial is to see if the drug atrasentan is safe and effective in treating IgAN, FSGS, DKD, and Alport Syndrome. 

The study is comprised of an optional pre-screening period, screening, treatment, and follow-up periods. If you qualify, you will receive the study drug Atrasentan for up to 1 year. 
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The ALIGN Study: A study for patients with the kidney disease Immunoglobulin A (IgA) Nephropathy.

The purpose of this clinical trial is to see if the drug atrasentan is safe and effective in treating IgAN. We will look at whether the drug decreases the protein levels in your urine.

The study is comprised of an optional pre-screening period, a screening period, a treatment period and a follow-up period. If you qualify, you will receive either the study drug Atrasenten or placebo for up to 2.5 years. 
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The FIND-CKD Study: a trial for patients with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease.

The purpose of this clinical trial is to see if the drug Finerenone is safe and effective in patients with in participants with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease. Additionally, while finerenone has been approved for other patient populations, this study will collect additional safety information about finerenone to determine how it affects the body.
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A Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Sibeprenlimab Administered Subcutaneously in Subjects with Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy

The purpose of this phase 3 trial is to see if the drug Sibeprenlimab is safe and effective in treating IgAN. We will look at whether the drug decreases the protein levels in your urine and delay kidney disease progression. If you qualify, you will receive either Sibeprenlimab or placebo for 100 weeks. We will then follow up with you for 8 weeks after after the final study drug treatment.
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A Study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of VX-147 in Subjects with APOL1-mediated Proteinuric Kidney Disease

A Phase 2/3 Adaptive, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of VX-147 in Subjects Aged 18 Years and Older With APOL1-mediated Proteinuric Kidney Disease
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A Study of the Prevalence of Apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) Alleles Among Individuals With Proteinuric Kidney Disease Who Are of Recent African Ancestry or Geographic Origin

This is a study of the prevalence of APOL1 alleles in adults who are of recent African ancestry or geographic origin. The study will enroll up to a total of approximately 2500 subjects into 2 groups. Group 1 includes subjects with FSGS, and Group 2 includes subjects with other forms of proteinuric nondiabetic CKD. No study drug will be administered.
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VX19-NEN-801

A Study of the Prevalence of Apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) Alleles Among Individuals With Proteinuric Kidney Disease Who Are of Recent African Ancestry or Geographic Origin
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A Multicenter, Randomized, Double blind, Placebo controlled 12 week Study To Evaluate The Safety And Efficacy Of Oral Difelikefalin In Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Subjects With Moderate to severe Pruritus And Not On Dialysis With An Up To 52 week Long term Extension.

The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of an investigational oral drug called difelikefalin, in reducing the intensity of itching and the impact of itch on your quality of life. The FDA already approved a intravenous(IV) form of the drug to treat moderate-to-severe itchiness in people undergoing hemodialysis. This study continues tests the oral form of the drug in reducing itchiness in people not on dialysis. This study is double blind and placebo controlled, meaning that neither you nor the study team will know if you are assigned to take the real drug or a fake pill. 
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A Phase II, Multi-center, Open-Label Study to Assess Safety, Tolerability, Efficacy and Pharmacokinetics of R3R01 in Alport Syndrome Patients with Uncontrolled Proteinuria on ACE/ARB Inhibition and in Patients with Primary Steroid-Resistant Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

The purpose of this Phase II trial is to see if R3R01 is safe in patients with Alport Syndrome and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis. This will be done by evaluating how efficient R3R01 is in decreasing proteinuria levels. The study will consists of a screening period, a treatment period, and a follow-up period. If you qualify, you will receive the study drug R3R01 for 12 weeks. We will then follow up with you after for an additional 12 weeks.
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The TRACTION Study: A study for patients with kidney disease caused by Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and Treatment-Resistant Minimal Change Disease

This study looks at whether the drug  GFB-887 (developed by Goldfinch Bio) can slow the progression of kidney disease in patients with FSGS and treatment-resistant minimal change disease. The drug works similarly to drugs called calcineurin inhibitors (aka CNIs, such as tacrolimus or cyclosporine) but without some of the side effects those drugs can have. This study is double blind and placebo controlled, meaning that neither you nor the study team will know if you are assigned to take the real drug or a fake pill. Once you complete this study, you will have the option to enroll in an additional study where all participants receive the drug. 

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Development of a Serum Quality Control Pool for Kidney Function Biomarkers

The main aim of this research study is to create materials to make sure that one of the blood
tests we use to measure kidney function are correct. The College of American Pathologists (CAP) surveys
laboratories as part of their proficiency testing program. This survey involves sending out quality control (QC)
samples to clinical laboratories who measure this in patient to make sure that their results are accurate.
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