Review for 10.1186/s12876-021-02007-w (2021)

Reviewer’s report
Title: 
A neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio-based prognostic model to predict
mortality in patients with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure
Version: 
0 
Date: 
25 Apr 2021
Reviewer's report:
Sun et al. submission "A neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio-based prognostic model
to predict mortality in patients with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure",
in this study, the authors found that NLR is a dependable biomarker for mortality
prediction during initial contact with patients with HBV-ACLF. The mAARC
ACLF score is a reliable and timesaving predictive model, and is suitable for risk
assessment and therapeutic guidance in HBV-ACLF patients in primary
hospitals. 
The idea of this study is very good and easy to implement in any medical
institution, and which will help to evaluate the prognosis of HBV-ACLF.
Comments to author:
1. Can the mAARC ACLF score be used for HCV-ACLF, alcoholic ACLF or
other causes of ACLF?
2. NLR is used to assess the status of bacterial infection in patients. In this
manuscript, is it possible to conclude that there is no bacterial infection in the
failure cases predicted by mAARC ACLF?
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Is the study design appropriate to answer the research question (including the use
of appropriate controls), and are the conclusions supported by the evidence
presented?
Yes
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from apparent manipulation?
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