Controlled trial of two different methylprednisolone doses in cadaveric renal transplantation

In a controlled trial the effects of two different methylprednisolone (MP) schedules were studied in 100 cadaver kidney adult recipients followed for 18-46 months. Group A patients were given 160 mg/day i.v. for 3 days, then oral MP (0.8 mg/kg/day), which was tapered by 4 mg/week to a maintenance dose of 16 mg/day up to the 6th month. Group B patients were given 80 mg/day i.v. for 3 days followed by 0.4 mg/kg/day oral MP; the dose was reduced by 2 mg/week to 16 mg/day. In both groups, the dose was further reduced bimonthly to a final dose of 8 mg/day. No significant differences were evidenced between the two groups in patients and kidney survival or in the incidence of complications. The number of patients with at least one rejection episode was significantly higher in the lower dose group.