Diabetic Kidney Problems

Diabetes is a disease in which the body's blood glucose, or sugar, levels are too high. Over time, this impacts the kidneys, which help remove waste from the blood.

Programs + Services


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.
More information about programs and services

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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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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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

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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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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. 
More information about research and clinical trials


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.
More information about research and clinical trials


The MANEUVER Study: a study for patients with Diabetic Kidney Disease. 

The purpose of this clincial trial is to see if the drug CSL346 (developed by CSL Behring) is safe and effective in treating type II diabetic kidney disease.  We will look at whether the drug decreases the amount of protein in your urine. The drug is given through the vein and under the skin by research nurses under the supervision of the research doctor. 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 saline solution. There is a 50% chance that you will recieve the drug.
More information about research and clinical trials