Review for 10.1186/s12876-021-02032-9 (2021)

Reviewer’s report
Title: 
Psychosocial characteristics of alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver disease
recipient candidates in liver transplantation: A prospective observational study
Version: 
1 
Date: 
03 May 2021
Reviewer's report:
1. The main problem is the discrepancy between the actual findings (based on the
the study design that could have better conceived) and the presentation of the
significance of the findings.
2. The findings are presented in such a way that one comes out with the
impression that the psychosocial characteristics of alcoholic liver disease
recipient candidates (ALD-RC) and non-ALD recipient candidates (NALD-RC)
were similar.
3. In fact, it is possible that common mental disorders such as depression,
anxiety, stress, and having insecure attachment styles and poorer social support
are risk factors for alcohol liver disease (ALD). The study design does not allow
us to exclude this possibility.
4. It is not clear why the authors included the stigmatization of ALD-RC based
on psychosocial aspects. Actually, addiction stigma is a public health issue that
contributes to problems with mental health, access to healthcare, and willingness
to attend.
5. Finally, the number of participants (ALD-RC, n = 19 ; evaluated ALD-R
psychosocial characteristics in the preoperative period and 3, 12 months after LT
, n = 3) is rather small to make a sound general conclusion.
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Is the study design appropriate to answer the research question (including the use
of appropriate controls), and are the conclusions supported by the evidence
presented?
No
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Yes
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Yes
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No
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from apparent manipulation?
Yes