Review for 10.1186/s12876-018-0832-9 (2018)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms among Italian university students: epidemiology and 
dietary correl ates using automatically recorded transactions  
 
Version: 1 Date: 04 Feb 2018  
 
Reviewer: Manuele Furnari  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
The work by Martinucci and coworkers is a population -based study, aimed to observe 
correlations among life -style factors and GERD diagnosed by means of questionnaires. Their 
data are in line with the literature  pointing out a potential role of diet and BMI as co -factors of 
GERD pathogenesis.  
I congratulate with the authors for the innovative study design, whose full potential will emerge 
in the next years and with the implementation of further functions of the app. 
Overall, the article is well written, statistical analysis is well performed, limitations are listed and 
discussion is clear.  
 
I have only a few concerns:  
- Text should be checked for punctuation  
 
- Indeed , findings reflect an association more than active role by diet (observational study in a 
very selected Group that cannot be apply to the general population (students, eating at the 
canteen, compliance to the survey, ...) and no follow up  
 
- Have the authors considered to introduce changes in life -style and monitoring the impact on 
symptoms? Have the authors considered to administer the quetionnaires repeatedly in the 
time course? are other variables such us drugs, physical exsercise and comorbiditie s (IBS, 
allergy, ..) taken into account?  
 
- What is the possible association of GERD and low consumption of pasta and rice? the 
authors stated there is no explanation, however this is the main finding of the study. I believe 
a few data/references in the di scussion session about the effect of foods on GERD might be 
beneficial to the reader in order to understand how this is in line or divergent from literature  
 
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments 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.  
 
Unable to assess  
 
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 as sess 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 assess t he 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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