Review for 10.1186/s12876-024-03491-6 (2024)

Title: Celiac disease autoimmunity among Nigerian children and adolescents with type 1
diabetes mellitus
Version: 5 Date: 30 Aug 2024
Reviewer's report:
Dear Editor,
I should first thank for inviting me as potential reviewer to read and comment on paper entitled
‘’Celiac disease among Nigerian children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus’’.
In the current study, the authors aimed to investigate the prevalence and pattern of CD in
Nigerian children and adolescents diagnosed with T1DM.
The main title accurately reflects the major topic and content of the study.
The abstract summarizes and reflects the work described in the manuscript. Also, the abstract
presents the significant points related to the background, objectives, materials and methods,
results and conclusions.
The materials and methods sufficiently described for the results and conclusions that are
presented in the preceding sections. The study type and design were defined in the section of
the materials and methods. Inclusion and exclusion criteria are well defined. Figures and tables
are sufficient and well-organized. Ethics Committee approval was received. So, the section
materials and methods is adequate.
The statistical methods used are appropriate.
The section of the discussion is well organized. The conclusions are drawn appropriately
supported by the literature. The manuscript adequately describes the background, present
status and significance of the study. The manuscript interprets the findings adequately and
appropriately, highlighting the key points clearly.
The limitations of the study is stated.
I think that it will contribute to the literature. I have some minor criticisms.
- The manuscript appropriately cites the important and authoritative references but does not
cite the recent published articles in the Introduction part of the manuscript.  If the recent
published articles about celiac disease for example ‘’ Celiac disease in children: A review of the
literature. World J Clin Pediatr. 2021 Jul 9;10(4):53-71’’, The similar result 4.4% was detected
in recent study conducted in Turkey,’’(Prevalence of celiac disease in children with type 1
DM in the South of Turkey. Iran J Pediatr 2020;30:e97306)’’ ,  ‘’(Frequency of celiac disease
and distribution of HLA-DQ2/DQ8 haplotypes among siblings of children with celiac disease.
World J Clin Pediatr. 2022 Jul 9;11(4):351-359)’’, ‘’The frequency of celiac disease in children
with autoimmune thyroiditis. Acta Gastroenterol Belg 2018 Jan-Mar;81(1):5-8’’, are cited, the
manuscript would be better.
- The prevalence of celiac disease is common in children with functional constipation. If celiac
disease is not diagnosed earlier, the late complications of celiac disease may ocur and also
functional constipation continues. Because of that, please state relationship between celiac
disease and functional constipation in the manuscript. Please cite the recent published articles
about celiac disease and constipation for example ‘’The frequency of celiac disease in children
with chronic constipation. Kuwait Med J 2021; 53: 383-387’’ is cited, the manuscript would
be better.
- The  inclusion and exclusion criteria are well designed. The section of the introduction and
discussion is not well organized. The manuscript did not cite the recent published articles. If the
recent published articles are cited and discussed in the manuscript,  it would be better. I have
also many articles on this subject, the authors can benefit from them.
- Also, there is close relationship between autoimmune rheumatologic diseases and celiac
diseases, please statemit and cite relevant references for example ‘’(Eur J Rheumatol. 2019
Apr 22;6(3):142-145. Serological screening for celiac disease in children with systemic lupus
erythematosus), ‘’(Arab J Gastroenterol. 2019 Jun;20(2):95-98. Serological screening for
coeliac disease in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis)’’
After careful revision, I think that it will contribute to the literature.