Review for 10.1186/s12876-019-0994-0 (2019)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Defining constipation to estimate its prevalence in the community: results from a national 
survey  
 
Version: 0 Date: 03 Jan 2018  
 
Reviewer: Quadri Alabi  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Review on BMGE -D-17-00554  
I think, this is an interesting research that need consideration.  
The authors should let the reader understand how they analyzed their data.  The result sessions 
was not really clear.  
Also the authors should summarize the conclusion session, because most of what they repo rted 
in conclusion are already in discussion session.  
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary co ntrols?  
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 asses s 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 recommend additional s tatistical review  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
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 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 recei ved 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 no competing interest  
 
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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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I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal