Review for 10.1186/s12876-017-0624-7 (2017)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title:  Comparison of oesophageal function tests between Chinese non -erosive reflux disease a nd 
reflux hypersensitivity patients  
 
Version: 0 Date: 13 Mar 2017 
 
Reviewer:  Nicola  de Bortoli  
 
Reviewer’s report:  
 
Dear Author,  
 
I read with interest your study aimed at investigating the pathophysiological difference in 
Chinese patients with N ERD and hypersensitive esophagus (RH) by means of MII -pH 
monitoring. Results highlighted that NERD patients had more bolus exposure time, more 
proximal and distal acid reflux events, and fewer distal non -acid reflux events as compared with 
RH patients.  
 
By reading the manuscript, there are some issues which likely should be addressed:  
 
- In the paragraph "Comparison groups" there is a mistake: FH instead of RH  
 
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria need to be clarified. In particular, I suppose that patients with  
functional heartburn have been excluded.  
 
- There is no mention regarding outcome from antireflux therapy. Do you have any outcome data 
about previous therapy with proton pump inhibitors?  
 
- According to recent studies, the PSPW index and mean nocturnal ba seline impedance are 
independent predictors of hypersensitive esophagus, suggesting that both parameters should be 
analyzed to increase the diagnostic yield of MII -pH. If there is no possibility to evaluate 
retrospectively such parameters, they should be a t least mentioned in the discussion section.  
 
- Edit the conclusion because are confounding. The Authors assess that NERD and RH should be 
classified correctly using HRiM and MII/pH to provide adequate relief from the related 
symptoms. However, there are n o data about antireflux therapy in the manuscript. Moreover, 
HRiM is not essential to correctly classify these patients, a HRM study might be enough.  
 
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.  
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
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.  
 
Not relevant to this manuscript  
 
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, 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 rec eived 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 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 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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