Impact of Nasal Irrigation With Iodized Table Salt Solution on Mucociliary Clearance: Proof-of-Concept Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

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.