BackgroundThe eustachian tube is a tubular structure connecting the middle ear cavity with the nasopharynx, providing ventilation and pressure equalization in the middle ear, mucociliary clearance, and preventing the reflux of sound and fluid from the nasopharynx. Therefore, any kind of deficiency in this tube will lead to eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD).

Introduction: The admission of patients on weekends in multiple health centers has been associated with poorer outcomes relative to care provided during regular weekday hours. This study aimed to assess and compare the health outcomes of patients discharged on weekends and weekdays after undergoing surgery in a tertiary hospital in Taif, Saudi Arabia.Materials and methods: The data of patients were collected from hospital records in a retrospective manner, and the outcomes were assessed after discharge. Patients discharged on Friday and Saturday were considered weekend discharges, and those discharged on other days were considered weekday discharges. Data related to readmission and emergency department (ED) visits included the primary diagnosis, number of days post-primary discharge, length of stay, chief complaint, and the number of ED visits. A logistic regression model was done to assess the predictive factor for 30-readmission after surgery.Results: The frequency of discharge over the weekend was 9.1%. About 6.5% and 7.3% were found to have 30-day readmission and 30-day ED visits, respectively. A statistically significant association was not observed between weekend discharge and the development of postoperative complications (p>0.05). A multinomial logistic regression showed that patients who had emergency admission, postoperative complications, and the presence of cancer were found to be independently associated with 30-day readmission after discharge (P<0.05). Conclusion:Proactive strategies to reduce costly readmissions after surgery can be designed once the highrisk patient subset is identified.

Background: Personal anguish, incapacity, and a decline in work and life quality are all associated with neck and low back pain, making it a significant socioeconomic burden for individuals and society. It is well known that engaging in regular physical exercise has considerable health benefits. Objective: The purpose of this research was to investigate the factors contributing to the high rates of musculoskeletal pain experienced by the Saudi Arabian population. Methods: This population-based, cross-sectional study was done in Saudi Arabia with 2,717 participants aged 18 to 60. A questionnaire was provided online to assess neck, shoulder, and lower back discomfort, time spent in general or aerobic physical activity, time spent sitting, sleep problems, general health, work satisfaction, and nutrition. Using logistic regression, we observed potential risk factors for musculoskeletal pain. Results: The prevalence of neck pain, shoulder pain, and lower back pain (LBP) were found to be 48.1%, 47.6%, and 63.8%, respectively. It was found that being a female (OR=1.78 [1.41-2.25], p<0.001), married (OR=1.58 [1.34-1.86], p<0.001), and having poor general health status (OR=3.78 [2.2-6.49], p<0.001), sleep disturbances (OR=2.46 [2.04-2.97], p<0.001) and poor job satisfaction (OR=1.29 [1.05-1.60], p=0.016) were independently associated with the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain. The diet of the individuals did not significantly influence the prevalence of MSPs. Conclusion: Good general health, good sleep, and good job satisfaction were associated with a reduced risk of experiencing neck or shoulder pain, but there was no association between physical activity and MSPs Longitudinal studies are required to acquire a better understanding of the relationship between MSP, aerobic activity, sleep, and diet.