Review for 10.1186/s12876-015-0399-7 (2015)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title:  Outcomes and risk factors for cancer patients undergoing endoscopic intervention of  
malignant biliary obstruction  
 
Version: 0 Date: 28 Aug 2015  
 
Reviewer:  Christopher  Bowlus  
 
Reviewer ’s report:  
 
This is a single center, retrospective study of the associations between serum CRP and biliary 
pathogens on outcomes in patien ts undergoing ERCP for malignant biliary obstruction. The 
paper includes a relatively large cohort and has some interesting findings in an area that has 
received little attention. However, there are some issues which need to be addressed prior to 
considera tion for publication.  
 
 
Major Issues  
 
1. The multivariate analysis should include multi drug resistant organism, Candida, CRP, 
and other parameters which might affect survival (i.e. age, gender, cancer type, number 
of ERCPs, bilirubin level). Also, a table with the variables should be included . 
 
2. How were the cases with multiple interventions handled?  
 
3. Place the results of the patient character istics in results, not methods.  
 
 
Minor Issues  
 
1. The data was collected from 2006 to 2008. There have been many changes in treatment 
of malignancy  since then. Adding more current cases and c omparing eras would be 
helpful.  
 
2. The grammar needs attention.  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well de scribed?  
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.  
 
Unable to assess  
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is re commended, please specify what aspects require further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I recommend additional statistical review  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being published  
 
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, e ither now or in the future?  
 
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 relatin g 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 i nterests' 
below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal. I understand that my name will be included  
on my report to the authors and, if the  manuscript is accepted for publication, my named report  
including any attachments I upload will be posted on the website along with the authors'  
responses. I agree for my report to be made available under an Open Access Creative Commons  
CC-BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ). I understand that any comments  
which I do not wish to be included in my named report can be included as confidential comments  
to the editors, which will no t be published.  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal