Review for 10.1186/s12876-016-0516-2 (2016)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Prevalence of Hepatitis B and Clinical Outcomes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients 
in a Viral -endemic Region  
 
 
Version: 0 Date: 15 Apr 2016  
 
 
Reviewer: Cyrla  Zaltman  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This is a retrospective report related to the prevalence  of Hepatitis B  and clinical Outcomes of 
IBD Patients in  the South of China . This background informat ion given is correct and the logic 
of the arguments made are coherent.  
Recent studies made in China had controversial results about prevalence of  HBV infection  (He, 
Yao, et al.  2015; Huang, Mei Lan, et al.2014)  The course of the infection in this repor t was 
evaluated considering viral load , serum HbsAg and liver stiffness, named as liver disfunction, 
Although the methodology was well drawn the however some cpmments and suggestions must 
be done:  
- Modify  the legends  of the tables, for instance : Tabl e 1- Clinical demographics aspects of IBD 
patients in the Hong Kong cohort  
Table 3: Comparison of clinical demographics aspects between  IBD patients according HBsAg 
positi vity 
 - The table 4 - Cpmparison of characteristics of hepatitis B patients with IBD and without IBD in 
Hong Kong can be eliminated and the results can be introduced in the text  
- Table 5: Characteristics of hepatitis B patients with liver dysfunction can b e modified to 
Characteristics of IDB patients with liver disfunction  
-  It will be necessary to justify why the bilirrubin levels and albumin are not evaluated in the 
definition of liver disfunction associated to transaminase level  
- It will be necessary t o define Smoking history  
 - It will be interesting to include the definition of moderate , high or  low risk to HBV 
reactivation  
The results are credible and consistent The references are appropriate and up -to-date 
 
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.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supporte d by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an  
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please spe cify 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 manuscript:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being published  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please comp lete 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 t his 
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 apply ing for any patents relating to the content of 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 y es to any, please give details below.  
 
'I declare that I have no competing interests'  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal. I understand that my name will be included  
on my report to the authors and, if the manuscript is accepted for publication, my named report  
including any attachments I upload will be posted on the website along with the authors'  
responses. I agree for my report to be made available under an Open Access Creative Commons  
CC-BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ). I understand th at any comments  
which I do not wish to be included in my named report can be included as confidential comments  
to the editors, which will not be published.  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal