Review for 10.1186/s12876-018-0832-9 (2018)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms among Italian university students: epidemiology and 
dietary correlates using automatically recorded transactions  
 
Version: 1 Date: 09 Feb 2018  
 
Reviewer: Matteo Neri  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This is an interesting study that offers a new insight on GERD in a selected popula tion 
(university students). A great effort was made to set up a well controlled data collecting system, 
although an higher rate of responses would have been welcome. The results showing a 26% 
prevalence of weekly symptoms offers an explanation to the growi ng occurrence of this 
condition in the general population. Moreover, I agree with the Authors that these figures raise 
concerns about the future sustainability of the current  national health policies on GERD. With 
respect to this point, it would have been  helpful to have  data on the diagnostic and therapeutic 
approach, if any, used in these subjects.  
The paper is well written, data are clearly analyzed and presented, the discussion is sound.  
Goo to know that pizza does not favour GERD...  
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If no t, 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.  
 
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 manuscr ipt: 
 
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  
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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 n ow 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 t o 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 int erests' 
below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
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