My research focuses currently on 1) novel serum and urinary biomarkers for kidney, bone health and vascular disease and 2) peripheral artery disease (PAD) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). His clinical interests include bone and mineral disorders, kidney stones and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. (ADPKD). I have been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the UCSD Academic Senate, Center For Aids Research (CFAR) and the Veterans Medical Research Foundation (VMRF).
Novel biomarkers for kidney and cardiovascular disease
My research has focused on understanding the relationship of non-glomerular aspects of kidney function and its contributions to kidney function decline cardiovascular disease, bone health and mortality independent of eGFR and albuminuria. I have been working to translate human studies the functional role of uromodulin, a common urinary tubular protein. Our group has demonstrated that higher uromodulin levels are associated with lower risk of ESRD, incident CKD, mortality in a diverse group of patients including those with kidney transplant. I am studying how novel markers of tubular secretion are associated with kidney histology, function decline, cardiovascular disease, and drug dosing.
PAD in persons with CKD
As a nephrologist and epidemiologist treating patients with end stage kidney disease, I have seen that this is the population at highest risk of PAD and its subsequent complications. My work has focused on highlighting the issues with current clinical practice guidelines, suggesting new diagnostic strategies and using a comprehensive multi-disciplinary team to manage PAD in high risk kidney disease patients. Currently I am working closely with a group of cardiologists, nephrologists and vascular epidemiologists to better understand whether diagnostic tests for PAD developed in the general population are applicable to those with advanced kidney disease or not.
ADPKD
A full list of Dr. Garimella’s publications can be found
here through PubMed.