A study involving researchers from several hospitals and universities found the use of immunosuppressive drugs may eliminate the need for steroid therapy post-kidney transplant. Stopping the use of steroids minimizes side effects including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cataracts for kidney transplant patients.
 
The study also discovered removing even small daily prednisone doses does not compromise transplant results, and it minimizes weight gain and bone complications among other conditions.
 
Traditionally transplant recipients have required life-long steroid treatments to suppress the body's immune system to allow the transplanted organ to function properly.

This article originally appeared in the November 2008 issue of Kidney Transplant Today.