Review for 10.1186/s12876-016-0443-2 (2016)

Reviewer’s report 
Title:  The prevalence of functional dyspepsia using Rome III questionnaire among chronic 
hepatitis C patients. 
 
Version:  0 Date:  02 Nov 2015 
 
Reviewer:  Patrizia Zentilin 
 
Reviewer's report: 
Authors aim to evaluate the prevalence of functiona l dyspepsia in patients with hepatitis C virus 
(HCV). They studied a large group of HCV patients a nd an adequate group of controls by 
subjecting them the Rome III questionnaire. In HCV patients, one hundred sixty six had normal 
upper endoscopy and twenty one had a pathological a ssessment. The Authors stated that all 
endoscopy-negative HCV patients had functional dysp epsia. It is not considered the Helicobacter 
pylori infection. It has already been reported (Gha ith D et al. J Chemother 2015, Sept) that the 
prevalence of H. pylori infection is high in Egypti an population. Several studies had stressed that 
in HCV patients the prevalence of H. pylori was inc reased significantly from chronic active 
hepatitis to cirrhosis and eradication treatment ma y prove beneficial in chronic hepatitis C (El-
Masry S et al. J Glob Infect Dis 2010 Jan; 2(1):4-9 ; Pellicano R et al. J Hepatol 2000; 33:648-
50). In my opinion, the results may also be affecte d leaving out this datum. It is possible to know 
the prevalence of H. pylori infection in groups stu died by Authors?  
It will be necessary tidying the paper: capital let ter after the fullstop; in Table 1 "arial" and 
"times new roman"; and so on. 
Kindest personal regards 
Patrizia Zentilin, MD, PhD 
Associate Professor 
Gastroenterology Unit 
Department of Internal Medicine 
University of Genoa 
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described? 
If not, please specify what is required in your com ments 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 t he data shown? 
If not, please explain in your comments to the auth ors. 
Yes 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manusc ript 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 manu script: 
Needs some language corrections before being publis hed 
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