Chronic kidney disease is a worldwide public health problem. In the United States, there is a rising incidence and prevalence of kidney failure, with poor outcomes and high cost. There is an even higher prevalence of earlier stages of chronic kidney disease. Increasing evidence, accrued in the past decades, indicates that the adverse outcomes of chronic kidney disease, such as kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, and premature death, can be prevented or delayed. Earlier stages of chronic kidney disease can be detected through laboratory testing. Treatment of earlier stages of chronic kidney disease is effective in slowing the progression toward kidney failure. Initiation of treatment for cardiovascular risk factors at earlier stages of chronic kidney disease should be effective in reducing cardiovascular disease events both before and after the onset of kidney failure.
At Hopkins GIM, our faculty are investigating several different aspects of the CKD epidemic, including: (1) genetics of CKD; (2) natural history of CKD and transition to renal failure; (3) screening for CKD in the general population; (4) optimal treatment to prevent progression; (5) optimal regime once renal replacement therapy is required; and (6) epidemiology and prevention of vascular complications in end-stage renal disease. 
Information about the faculty working in this research area and their projects is provided below.
Lawrence Appel, MD, MPH
Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology, and International Health; Core Faculty, Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research
Research Interests: Natural history of CKD; Hypertension and CKD in
African Americans
To see publication abstracts (PUBMED) click here.
Brad Astor, PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Medicine; Core Faculty, Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research
Research Interests: Epidemiology and prevention of CKD; Medical devices
To see publication abstracts (PUBMED) click here.
Josef Coresh, MD, PhD
Professor of Epidemiology and Medicine; Core Faculty, Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research
Research Interests: Epidemiology and prevention of CKD; Cardiovascular disease in ESRD
To see publication abstracts (PUBMED) click here.
Michael Klag, MD, MPH
Professor of Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management, and Medicine; Dean, Johns Hopkins Bloomburg School of Public Health
Research Interests: Genetic epidemiology of diabetic nephropathy
To see publication abstracts (PUBMED) click here.
Neil Powe, MD, MPH, MBA
Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology; Director, Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research
Research Interests: Outcomes research in CKD and ESRD
To see publication abstracts (PUBMED) click here.
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