Review for 10.1186/s12876-021-01606-x (2021)

Reviewer’s report
Title: 
Baseline thrombopoietin level is associated with platelet count
improvement in thrombocytopenic chronic hepatitis C patients after successful
direct-acting antiviral agent therapy
Version: 
0 
Date: 
08 Nov 2020
Reviewer's report:
The authors have nicely depicted the role of baseline TPO levels to predict the
rise in platelet counts post DAAs in HCV treatment at week 12. I have few
suggestions. 
1. It is perplexing to note that baseline TPO levels were higher with normal
spleen patients, but no different between advanced and non-advanced fibrosis
patients. Did any patients undergo biopsy in the study? Other non-invasive tests
like Fibroscan? What about APRI index in these patients? 
2. Dynamic change in TPO Levels at monthly intervals during the treatment,
could have given us more information about the possible role of TPO in
improvement of platelets counts. This could have been studied in correlation
with dynamic tests such as FIB-4 or Fibroscan. Can be added in the limitations
of the study or need for further studies to explore this interesting concept. 
3. Any role of genotype or severity of liver disease on the baseline TPO levels
and implication on platelet count? 
4. Splenic stiffness and correlation with TPO levels.
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