Prevalence and characteristics of fibromyalgia among HIV-positive patients in southern Israel.

Objectives: Fibromyalgia and chronic pain have previously associated with HIV infection for over two decades. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of FMS symptoms in an ethnically heterogeneous population of HIV-infected individuals in southern Israel, applying the proposed new diagnostic criteria for diagnosis of fibromyalgia symdrome (FMS).

Methods: 156 HIV-positive patients followed at the AIDS clinic of the Soroka University Medical Center (SUMC) who gave written informed consent were recruited in the trial.

Serum biochemical markers for brain damage in children with emphasis on mild head injury.

Despite the high incidence of mild pediatric head injuries, only within the past few years has there been increased interest and research in this area. This interest began when the findings from research done in adult patients showed that the effects of mild closed head injuries could interfere significantly with higher cognitive functioning, which impacted daily activities and employment. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often involves a combination of mechanical trauma and local hypoxemia, on which serum biomarker concentrations may provide critical therapeutic data to time the brain injury.