Review for 10.1186/s12876-018-0780-4 (2018)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title:  Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and bone mineral density: a 
retrospective cross -sectional study  
 
Version: 0 Date: 07 Feb 2018 
 
Reviewer:  King -Wah  Chiu  
 
Reviewer’s report:  
 
This is a big data analysis to explore the relationship between the Helicobacter pylori infection 
and bone mineral density.  
 
The author used with the statistical methods to analysis the all data but lacking of the 
scientifically sound.  
 
 
Major comments:  
 
1. What about the definition of helicobacter pylori infection? Serum HP anti -body positive? 
Or tissue biopsy for CLO positive? Or C13 breathing test positive?  
 
2. In the section of Subjects, Peptic ulcer or gastro -esophageal reflux disease (GERD) were 
diagn osed by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The present of H. pylori infection was 
determined by Campylobacter -like organism test (CLO test) via upper gastrointestinal 
endoscopy.  
 
By the indication for performed CLO test, it must be a positive for peptic ulc er. But there is a 
questionable data in the table 2:  
 
Peptic ulcer n, %: 111(35.7%) in normal group; 240(43.2%) in abnormal BMD group. In 
contrast, H. pylori infection n, %: 124(39.9%) in normal group; 257(46.2%) in abnormal BMD 
group. The author should be well explaining what happen on the number of PU is less than the 
HP positive cases in the both groups.  
 
3. As we know, Age is closely related to the BMD. According to the current data in table 3, 
we found that Age, BMI is significant factor in single logis tic regression but HP is >0.05. 
It's means that age is a much important factor in this study. It is hard to accept that the 
author let the Age factor out of the linear regression for a positive HP to be statistical 
significance. It is very important for sc ientifically unsound here.  
 
4. If HP positive is a significant factor, what about the BMD improvement in case of HP 
eradication after 3 -combined treatment.  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript  or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written Engli sh 
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being publis hed 
 
Declaration of competing interests  
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organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this 
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3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the 
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5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
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below. If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
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