Contact: Ami Felker
Phone: (832) 667-5825
Email: afelker@tmh.tmc.edu


Fewer steroids for kidney transplant patients means fewer side effects

HOUSTON - Feb. 18, 2006-
In an effort to improve the quality of life for patients who undergo kidney transplants, physicians at The Methodist Hospital Multi-Organ Transplant Center have implemented a steroid-sparing protocol for patients.

The only program of its kind in Houston, the protocol drastically reduces the amount of time patients must take immunosuppressant steroids, particularly prednisone, after transplant.

“Until now, kidney transplant recipients needed to take steroids permanently to reduce the risk of organ rejection,” said Dr. Horacio E. Adrogué, Jr., transplant nephrologist at The Methodist Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine. “This new treatment greatly reduces the difficult and sometimes dangerous side effects of long-term steroid use.” Side effects from steroids include obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, mood swings, acne and more.

Kidney transplant recipient Bryan Rollins was the first patient to undergo this treatment at Methodist. Rollins was diagnosed with a rare form of kidney disease in 2003, and within six months he had lost nearly all of his kidney function.

“Dr. Adrogué told me about the new protocol that would help alleviate the bad side effects of long-term steroid use,” Rollins said. “I heard very positive things about the success rate, and after looking through some reading materials Dr. Adrogué provided me, I was convinced I wanted to try it.”

Rollins knew all too well about the side effects of steroids. While he awaited transplant, one of the treatment methods used for his disease was a combination of chemotherapy and steroids.

“While neither was particularly enjoyable, steroids were by far the worst from a day-to-day perspective,” he said. “I broke out in all kinds of acne all over my body, my cheeks puffed out, and unless I worked out two or three times a day, I could not sleep. I also bruised extremely easily.”

Just a year after transplant, Rollins is doing remarkably well, with no signs of rejection and no steroid side effects.

“I recovered much faster and easier than I had expected,” he said. “After three months, I was already able to enjoy everything I normally could, including working out, working full time and enjoying a social life. Today, I make sure that I get plenty of sleep, take my medication daily, eat well and exercise.”

Methodist patients who undergo the steroid-sparing treatment take prednisone for only five days after surgery. On the first day, patients receive a high dose of the steroid, and then are weaned off the drug very quickly in the days to follow.

“By the time patients leave the hospital, they are off steroids and are able to live much more comfortable and happier lives, without the side effects of chronic prednisone,” Adrogué said.