Review for 10.1186/s12876-019-0969-1 (2019)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Comparison of the Prevalence, Severity, and R isk Factors for Hepatic Steatosis in HIV -
Infected and Uninfected People  
 
Version: 1 Date: 10 Feb 2019  
 
Reviewer: Phunchai Charatcharoenwitthaya  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
The authors have satisfactorily responded to all major concerns except the explanation for 
limitation of this study for evaluating the associ ation between HIV infection and the prevalence 
and severity of hepatic steatosis due to a large proportion (90%) of the HIV+ group receiving 
ART and 90% of them having undetectable HIV RNA. This could explain similar prevalence of 
steatosis among both HIV -infected and uninfected individuals. So the authors should clearly 
stated in the abstract on the information about the use of antiretroviral therapy for HIV 
individuals and in the conclusion that "treated HIV individuals had less severe steatosis" instead 
of "HIV infection was associated with less severe steatosis".  
 
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
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 requ ire further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an  
organisation that may in any way gain  or lose financially from the publication of this  
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose  
financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the fut ure? 
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the  
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that 
holds  or has applied for patents relating to the content of  the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
 
If you can answer no to all of the above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests.  
 
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