Safety and efficacy of steroid withdrawal two days after kidney transplantation: analysis of results at three years.

Publication/Presentation Date

3-27-2006

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic steroid therapy in spite of myriad side effects is widely used in kidney transplantation. This prospective controlled study evaluated safety and efficacy of steroid withdrawal at 2 days in kidney recipients monitored by surveillance biopsy.

METHODS: In all, 300 kidney recipients were studied; 150 in second-day steroid withdrawal group and 150 in steroid treated group (control group). Immunosuppression was basiliximab induction and maintenance was a calcineurin inhibitor and mycophenolate mofetil or sirolimus. Biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) was treated by methylpredisolone. Surveillance biopsies were completed to evaluate subclinical acute rejection (SCAR) and chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN). Primary end point was acute rejection. Three-year patient and graft survival, new onset diabetes mellitus (NODM), serum creatinine and creatinine clearance were evaluated.

RESULTS: Acute rejection was diagnosed in 14% in control group and 16% in steroid withdrawal group. Three-year patient and graft survival was 89% and 79% in control and 91% and 78% in steroid withdrawal group. Serum creatinine and creatinine clearance was 1.9+/-0.8 and 59+/-11 in control group and 1.8+/-0.9 mg/dl and 61+/-10 mls/minute in steroid withdrawal group. Incidence of SCAR and progression of CAN were comparable in the 2 groups. At 3-years NODM was diagnosed in 21% in control group and 4% in steroid withdrawal group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: Two-day steroid withdrawal in kidney transplant recipients did not affect BPAR, SCAR, CAN, graft function and patient and graft survival compared to control group up to 3 years. NODM was significantly less in steroid withdrawal group. Two-day steroid withdrawal is safe and beneficial in kidney transplant recipients.

Volume

81

Issue

6

First Page

832

Last Page

839

ISSN

0041-1337

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

16570004

Department(s)

Department of Surgery

Document Type

Article

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