Review for 10.1186/s12876-019-1120-z (2019)

Reviewer’s report
Title: A newly noninvasive model for prediction of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: utility of
serum prolactin levels
Version: 0 Date: 03 Aug 2019
Reviewer: Masahide Hamaguchi
Reviewer's report:
Comments to the Editor 
Pengzi Zhang et al. performed a cross-sectional study to evaluate the diagnostic value of their 
mathematical model using serum PRL level to diagnose NAFLD. This study encompasses an 
interesting topic and is a worth to publish in this journal, but it has some problems.
1. Serum PRL level thought to be associated with aging and aging a risk factor for NAFLD. However, 
authors didn't assess the association of PRL with aging.
2. Authors graded fatty liver into 3 groups, mild, moderate, and severe. Please show the definition for 
the grading system.
3. Please indicate the method for diagnosing menopause and the definition for menopause.
4. Figure 2: the line for ROC curve is too slight.
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 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.
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 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 received 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.
No
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I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal