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Early Steroid Elimination Does Not Compromise Kidney Function in Transplant Patients CINCINNATI, Ohio -- October 21, 2008 -- Using modern immunosuppressive drugs eliminates the need for steroid therapy as early as 7 days following a transplant surgery while still maintaining kidney function, according to a study published in the October issue of the Annals of Surgery. Principal Investigator Steve Woodle, MD, Division of Transplant Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, said the elimination of a daily dose of steroids following transplantation minimises chronic health conditions common to kidney transplant recipients. "Steroids have long been the primary source of morbidity and complications following successful kidney transplantation," said Dr. Woodle. "This study demonstrates that elimination of even small, daily prednisone doses does not compromise results while minimising weight gain, diabetes, and bone complications." To test the effectiveness of early steroid elimination, researchers studied 397 patients from 25 US kidney transplant centres for a 5-year period following transplant. They administered low doses of prednisone to 1 group of transplant patients while the other group of patients received a placebo. The results showed that early steroid elimination caused reduction in many steroid-related complications, even when prednisone was given in very low doses. Kidney function was similar in both patient groups. "By demonstrating identical kidney transplant survival and function for 5 years, we now have a scientific basis for offering steroid-free therapies in kidney recipients," Dr. Woodle said. However, he notes that risk of rejection episodes in patients was slightly increased with early steroid discontinuation, but said that the "episodes were mild and easily treated." He adds that although the 5-year kidney transplant survival and function were identical between those who received predisone and those who received other immunosuppressive drugs in this study, it doesn't mean that it will be the same in 10 or 20 years. "Our hope is that with our modern anti-rejection drugs and new drugs being developed, even this small risk of increased rejection combined with longer-term results will not be changed," he said. SOURCE: University of Cincinnati E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version