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

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).