HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION AND PRIMARY SJOGRENS-SYNDROME - A POSSIBLE ASSOCIATION AND NEW THERAPEUTIC APPROACH

The possible interrelationship between Helicobacter pylori infection a nd 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 posi tive 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 the rapy, and clinical symptoms of pSS, xerophthalmia and xerostomia, impr oved dramatically, suggesting that H pylori infection is associated wi th pSS. Further studies are needed to confirm the association and to i nvestigate the efficacy of treatment of pSS with amoxicillin and tinid azole.