Review for 10.1186/s12876-021-01604-z (2021)

Reviewer’s report
Title: 
Clinical experiences and predictors of success of treatment with
vedolizumab in IBD patients: a cohort study
Version: 
0 
Date: 
20 Sep 2020
Reviewer: 
Laimas Jonaitis
Reviewer's report:
Review of the manuscript „Clinical experiences and predictors of success of
treatment with vedolizumab in IBD patients: a cohort study"
The paper represents the analysis of "real life" data of the treatment with
vedolizumab. I agree with authors, that such data are important for clinicians to
understand the course of the disease during the treatment with vedolizumab. The
data can sometimes help the clinician to predict the efficacy and longevity of the
treatment with vedolizumab.
Though there are actually almost new findings in the study, the results are
interesting and has clinical and scientific value. The manuscript is prepared and
presented in a acceptable and elegant style.
Nevertheless, there are some substantial drawbacks, which decrease the value of
the data.
1. The study is retrospective. Therefore, there are usually biases related with the
quality and reliability of the data, despite even high quality databases.
2. This is single center data, single center experience - the results may be biased
due to some specific approaches and specificity of that clinical center.
3. There are no any endoscopic data presented? I believe it is quite logical to
expect that at least some part of patients had endoscopic data. It this case the
establishment of "Endoscopic response or remission" could be valuable option.
4. There are no data on CDAI (Crohn's disease activity index) in Crohn's patients
- but it is logical as the there are no possibility to calculate this index in
retrospective manner.
5. Possibly, the data on the extra intestinal manifestations of IBD could also be
presented?
6. I would like to emphasize, that the authors do not recognize the drawbacks
and weaknesses of the study.
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Is the study design appropriate to answer the research question (including the use
of appropriate controls), and are the conclusions supported by the evidence
presented?
Yes
Are the methods sufficiently described to allow the study to be repeated?
Yes
Is the use of statistics and treatment of uncertainties appropriate?
Yes
Is the presentation of the work clear?
Yes
Are the images in this manuscript (including electrophoretic gels and blots) free
from apparent manipulation?
Yes