Review for 10.1186/s12876-020-01357-1 (2020)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: The impact of overlapping functional dyspepsia, belching disorders and functional  
heartburn on anxiety, depression and quality of life of Chinese patients with irritable bowel  
syndrome  
 
Version: 3 Date: 29 Apr 2020  
 
Reviewer: Giuseppe Chiarioni  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
I read with interest the MS "The impact of overlapping upper functional gastrointestinal diseases 
on the psychological status and quality of life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome" by Xin 
Yao and coworkers. It is a relevant paper dealing with a demanding issue. Results are at variance 
from published western experience and I believe etnicity is an issue which has not been dealt 
with among study limitations. In addition, it looks like most patients were affected by IBS with 
prevalent diarrhea. This is also at variance from most published experience and likely related to 
the country of origin. However, post -infectious etiology of IBS with prevalent diarrhea is another 
relvant issue the Authors should consider. My suggestions woul d be as follows: a) consider 
percentage of IBS -D with comorbidities and if prevalent keep it in mind when drawing the 
conclusion, b) consider dropping the IBS subgrouping analysis fi most of the patients are IBS -D 
for it is confusing and not meaningful, c)  consider etnicity as potential limitation as well as 
prevalence of IBS -D, e) acknowledge prevalence of IBS -D both throughout the MS (Title, 
abstract, conclusions), if indicated. No additional suggestions on this side.  
 
 
 
 
 
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.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
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 question s: 
 
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 sha res 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 re ceived 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 interes ts 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 thtat I have no competing interests  
 
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