Helicobacter pylori infection and primary Sjögren's syndrome: a possible association and new therapeutic approach

The possible interrelationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) and a new therapeutic approach to pSS were investigated. Biopsy samples from four patients with pSS were cultured for the presence of H pylori. Three patients who tested positive for H pylori were given concurrently omeprazole 40 mg once daily for 1 month, and amoxicillin 1000 mg and tinidazole 500 mg twice daily for 2 weeks. H pylori eradication was verified 6 to 8 weeks after therapy, and clinical symptoms of pSS, xerophthalmia and xerostomia, improved dramatically, suggesting that H pylori infection is associated with pSS. Further studies are needed to confirm the association and to investigate the efficacy of treatment of pSS with amoxicillin and tinidazole.