Review for 10.1186/s12876-022-02221-0 (2022)

Reviewer’s report
Title: 
Efficacy and predictor of anti-TNF
α
 agents in patients with intestinal
Behçet's disease
Version: 
0 
Date: 
18 Nov 2021
Reviewer's report:
This study investigated the clinical outcomes of anti-TNF-alpha therapy for
intestinal Behcet's disease. In addition, it also studied the factors associated with
discontinuity of the anti-TNF-alpha therapy. The manuscript adds some new
information about anti-TNF-alpha therapy. Overall, the manuscript is well
written. I have the following comments:
1. Major concerns:
1) As the authors mentioned, the sample size was tiny (29 patients). The sample
size was reduced further after dividing this small cohort into subgroups, e.g.,
continuation versus discontinuation.
2) 
Data in Table 2 are part of Figure 2B. I am not sure why the authors singled
out the week 8 and week 48 data in Table 2.
3) Figures 1 and 2 should be plotted together for easy comparison because
Figure 1 shows all patients, and Figure 2 divides the patients into different
groups. 
4) Line 71 "Conclusions: Anti-TNF-alpha agents are effective in bio-naïve
patients with intestinal BD": This study did not have a control group to
determine whether the therapy was effective.
5) Line 112 "we retrospectively examined the long-term efficacy of anti-TNF-
alpha agents for intestinal BD": This study did not have a control group to
determine whether the therapy was effective.
6) Line 137: Explain why HLA-B51 and A26 are specifically mentioned.
7) Line 145-Line162: Several terms were used to describe the method for
measuring the disease activity, i.e., "composite disease activity index," "Global
gastrointestinal (GI) symptom scores," "global symptom activity score,"
"Composite efficacy index." Please make the description constant.
8) Line 331 "Conclusions: Anti-TNF-alpha agents were effective in bio-naïve
patients with intestinal BD": This study did not have a control group to
determine whether the therapy was effective.
2. Minor concerns: None
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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