Review for 10.1186/s12876-024-03491-6 (2024)

Title: Celiac disease autoimmunity among Nigerian children and adolescents with type 1
diabetes mellitus
Version: 4 Date: 26 Jun 2024
Reviewer's report:
Your manuscript titled "Celiac Disease Among Nigerian Children and Adolescents with Type 1
Diabetes Mellitus" presents a significant study addressing an underexplored area. The research is
well-structured, and the responses to the reviewers' comments have added clarity and enhanced
the overall quality of the manuscript. Below are some specific comments and suggestions to
further refine the manuscript:
Specific Comments
Introduction:
The expansion of the introduction to include the potential biological mechanisms linking T1DM
and CD is commendable. However, it might benefit from a brief mention of the global prevalence
rates of CD among children with T1DM to provide context to your findings.
Methods:
The inclusion of the thresholds for anti-tTG and EMA is helpful. Consider providing a brief
rationale for choosing these specific thresholds.
In the section describing the study sites, you might want to briefly discuss the regional
distribution and any potential regional differences that could affect the study results.
Results:
The tables have improved in readability, which is great. Ensure that all abbreviations used in the
tables are defined either in the table footnotes or in the main text.
When discussing the results, it could be beneficial to highlight any patterns or notable findings
that emerged from the data, especially those related to socio-demographic factors and clinical
characteristics.
Discussion:
The discussion section is well-written. To strengthen it, consider comparing your findings
more extensively with those from other similar studies, highlighting both consistencies and
discrepancies.
You have suggested the need for a longitudinal study, which is excellent. It would be beneficial
to outline specific research questions or hypotheses that such a study could address.
Conclusion:
The conclusion succinctly summarizes the key findings and their implications. However, it
might be useful to include a brief statement on the potential public health implications of your
findings and any recommendations for clinical practice or policy.
Limitations:
You have acknowledged the limitations related to the non-availability of pediatric endoscopy
services. It might also be worthwhile to discuss any potential limitations related to the sample
size and the cross-sectional nature of the study in more detail.
Figures and Tables:
Ensure that all figures and tables are referenced in the text and that they include sufficient detail
to stand alone (i.e., including full legends and explanations for any abbreviations).
Language and Grammar:
The grammatical errors have been addressed, which has improved the readability of the
manuscript. A final proofreading by a native English speaker or a professional editor could help
eliminate any remaining minor errors and improve the overall flow of the text.
Ethical Considerations:
You have included ethical approval and consent details, which is crucial. Ensure that this section
complies with the journal’s guidelines and includes any additional information that may be
required.
Conclusion
Overall, your manuscript presents important findings that contribute to the understanding of
celiac disease among children with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Nigeria. With the suggested
revisions, your paper will be further strengthened and ready for acceptance. Thank you for your
valuable contribution to this field of research.
Yours sincerely