Introduction Saline nasal irrigation is a common recommendation shared between the majority of clinical guidelines for sinusitis and rhinitis in adults and children. Studies involving homemade saline have typically involved the use of noniodized salt. However, the literature does not contain any descriptions for the use of iodized table salt in homemade saline solutions. Objectives To study the usefulness of iodized salt in homemade saline and its impact on mucociliary clearance (MCC). Methods Only healthy volunteers were enrolled in this randomized controlled trial. The sinonasal outcome test (SNOT)-22 and rhinoscopy were used to rule out any clinical evidence of sinusitis or rhinitis in the enrolled subjects. The saccharine clearance time (SCT) was used to evaluate MCC at baseline. Each candidate received 2 different nasal wash solutions—one containing iodized salt and the other containing noniodized salt—on different days. Visual analog scale pain scores were recorded while using each type of nasal wash. The SCT was assessed after each wash. Results Thirty-eight healthy candidates (18 men and 20 women) were enrolled in the study. All subjects were in their 30s. The mean baseline SCT was 10.92 minutes. The use of the noniodized salt solution led to a nonsignificant change ( P = .139) in mean SCT (9.68 min). In contrast, a significant change ( P = .035) was observed in mean SCT after the use of the iodized salt solution (9.06 min). However, the mean postirrigation SCT was not significantly different between solutions ( P = .31). No significant differences were observed in pain/discomfort experience between solutions. Conclusion MCC improved with both solutions. Interestingly, the improvement was significant, when the iodized salt nasal irrigation solution was used. This finding contradicts the conventional recommendation against the use of iodized salt in nasal rinse solution. Moreover, this solution was well tolerated. Further studies regarding the long-term safety are recommended.

Background Mental health disorders are common in Saudi Arabia with a 34% lifetime prevalence. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of psychotherapy, is an evidence-based intervention for the majority of mental disorders. Although the demand for CBT is increasing, unfortunately, there are few therapists available to meet this demand and the therapy is expensive. Computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (cCBT) is a new modality that can help fill this gap. Objective We aimed to measure the knowledge of cCBT among mental health care professionals in Saudi Arabia, and to evaluate their attitudes and preferences toward cCBT. Methods This quantitative observational cross-sectional study used a convenience sample, selecting mental health care professionals working in the tertiary hospitals of Saudi Arabia. The participants received a self-administered electronic questionnaire through data collectors measuring their demographics, knowledge, and attitudes about cCBT, and their beliefs about the efficacy of using computers in therapy. Results Among the 121 participating mental health care professionals, the mean age was 36.55 years and 60.3% were women. Most of the participants expressed uncertainty and demonstrated a lack of knowledge regarding cCBT. However, the majority of participants indicated a positive attitude toward using computers in therapy. Participants agreed with the principles of cCBT, believed in its efficacy, and were generally confident in using computers. Among the notable results, participants having a clinical license and with cCBT experience had more knowledge of cCBT. The overall attitude toward cCBT was not affected by demographic or work-related factors. Conclusions Mental health care professionals in Saudi Arabia need more education and training regarding cCBT; however, their attitude toward its use and their comfort in using computers in general show great promise. Further research is needed to assess the acceptance of cCBT by patients in Saudi Arabia, in addition to clinical trials measuring its effectiveness in the Saudi population.

Objective: Our aim was to estimate prevalence rates of different headache forms among tinnitus patients in Arabia, to investigate whether there is a relationship between tinnitus laterality and headache laterality in patients with unilateral tinnitus and unilateral headache, to explore the relationship between tinnitus and headache over time, and to know the effect of headache pain medications in tinnitus in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Method: The study is a quantitative observational cross-sectional study with a convenient sample by data from patients with tinnitus. The participants received a self-administrated electronic questionnaire measuring demographics, prevalence of an associated headache, and the relationship between tinnitus and headache. Results: A total of 226 patients enrolled themselves into the study, and all of them came from the capital city Riyadh of Saudi Arabia. 58% were females, and the remainder of them were males. Females reported significantly more ear tinnitus than males, and patients aged 51 years or older were significantly less inclined to report ear tinnitus compared to those younger; however, those aged 20–31 years were found to be significantly more inclined to report ear tinnitus. There was a statistically significant association between patients experiencing headaches and those experiencing ear tinnitus. Surprisingly, patients who take medications of any type to alleviate their headaches were significantly less inclined to report ear tinnitus than those who do not take medications. However, patients with ear tinnitus experienced longer headache duration in years than those who had no history of tinnitus. Moreover, those people who experienced right-sided tinnitus tended to report significantly more right-sided headaches, and the same goes for left-sided headaches. Conclusion: Our results showed that there is a relationship between headaches and tinnitus. Painkillers also showed a protective effect against tinnitus. High awareness about the relationship between headaches and tinnitus among physicians and patients may lead to early recognition and lead to early implementation of primary prevention, which is the cornerstone of family medicine practice, and treatment without referring to other specialties. However, the pathophysiology is still not clear. Further studies should be performed to know the pathophysiology.

BACKGROUND Mental health disorders are common in Saudi Arabia with a 34% lifetime prevalence. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of psychotherapy, is an evidence-based intervention for the majority of mental disorders. Although the demand for CBT is increasing, unfortunately, there are few therapists available to meet this demand and the therapy is expensive. Computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (cCBT) is a new modality that can help fill this gap. OBJECTIVE We aimed to measure the knowledge of cCBT among mental health care professionals in Saudi Arabia, and to evaluate their attitudes and preferences toward cCBT. METHODS This quantitative observational cross-sectional study used a convenience sample, selecting mental health care professionals working in the tertiary hospitals of Saudi Arabia. The participants received a self-administered electronic questionnaire through data collectors measuring their demographics, knowledge, and attitudes about cCBT, and their beliefs about the efficacy of using computers in therapy. RESULTS Among the 121 participating mental health care professionals, the mean age was 36.55 years and 60.3% were women. Most of the participants expressed uncertainty and demonstrated a lack of knowledge regarding cCBT. However, the majority of participants indicated a positive attitude toward using computers in therapy. Participants agreed with the principles of cCBT, believed in its efficacy, and were generally confident in using computers. Among the notable results, participants having a clinical license and with cCBT experience had more knowledge of cCBT. The overall attitude toward cCBT was not affected by demographic or work-related factors. CONCLUSIONS Mental health care professionals in Saudi Arabia need more education and training regarding cCBT; however, their attitude toward its use and their comfort in using computers in general show great promise. Further research is needed to assess the acceptance of cCBT by patients in Saudi Arabia, in addition to clinical trials measuring its effectiveness in the Saudi population.