Review for 10.1186/s12876-018-0911-y (2018)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Development and external validation of a prognostic nomogram for acute decompensation 
of chronic he patitis B cirrhosis  
 
Version: 1 Date: 29 Sep 2018  
 
Reviewer: Evangelos Cholongitas  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
It is an interesting and well written paper but some issues should be addressed by the authors  
1) Any data regarding antiviral therapy?  
2) Table 3. Validation cohort has different characteristics in several variables. Any explanation?  
3) MELD, SOFA and normogram have practically similar c statistic in the validation cohort 
(0.82 vs 0.83 vs 0.83). p value<0.001 for which comparison?  
4) How easy and clinically useful is the use of normogram instead of on line calculators?  
Are the methods appropriate and  well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
Does the work in clude the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
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 ass ess the statistics  
 
  
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  
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 o f 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.  
 
I declare that I have no competing i nterests  
 
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