Review for 10.1186/s12876-016-0471-y (2016)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Discounting the Duration of Bolus Exposure in Impedance Tes ting Underestimates Acid 
Reflux  
 
 
Version: 0 Date: 23 Nov 2015  
 
 
Reviewer: Fernando  Herbella  
 
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Vikneswaran & Murray present an interesting manuscript in the continuous discussion on the 
clinical value of MII off PPI therapy.  
 
The data presented is very interesting. I absolutely agree with the findings and conclusions. I 
have 2 simple comments to improve the manuscript:  
 
1) Do the results come from automated analysis or  reviewed by hand? Several studies showed 
software flaws that may compromise the results.  
 
2) The authors did not mention the reference values they used. The discussion makes reference to 
DeMeester score and the %pH<4. Both were used? Please cite their reference values. How about 
for MII? I was not able to find in the text the reference value used.  
 
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.  
 
Unable to assess  
 
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 require 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 ma nuscript:  
 
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 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 relating to the content of the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial com peting 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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on my report to the authors and, if the manuscript is accepted for publication, my named report  
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