Helicobacter pylori associated antigastric autoantibodies: role in Sjögren's syndrome gastritis.

Background: Previous studies have shown that Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence in Sjögren's syndrome is comparable with that of the general population. However, the origin of the chronic gastropathy associated with this syndrome and the role of local autoimmunity--possibly triggered by bacterial infection--in its pathogenesis remain unclear.

Materials And Methods: We initially determined the prevalence of IgG anti H.