Review for 10.1186/s12876-018-0901-0 (2018)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Relevance of vitamin D deficiency in patients with chronic autoimmune atrophic gastritis: 
a prospective study.  
 
Version: 0 Date: 22 Jul 2018  
 
Reviewer: Benjamin Misselwitz  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
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The authors perform a prospective ana lysis of 87 patients with chronic atrophic autoimmune 
gastritis (CAAG) and a large control group. CAAG patients had lower vitamin D levels 
compared to controls. Further, the authors observed a positive correlation between Vitamin D 
and Vitamin B12 levels; and lower vitamin D levels in patients with severe gastritis gastric 
carcinoids. The paper is well written and data are clearly presented. The low number of patients 
is a limitation, in addition the control group has not been defined well.    
 
Major points : 
- The control group is not defined. It would be extremely important to understand how these 
individuals were recruited. Right now it seems as if healthy volunteers were compared with 
sick patients.  
 
- Mild moderate and severe atrophy on biopsies was defi ned according to Sydney criteria. 
Since this classification is central to the message of this paper, the authors should briefly 
remind the reader of these criteria (and the Solcia criteria). Further, how were the samples 
analyzed for severity of atrophic g astritis and ECL status? By two pathologists who 
independently and blindly reviewed the samples?  
 
- Table 2 lacks statistics  
Are the me thods 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 as sess 
 
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  
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below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
No competing interests  
 
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