Review for 10.1186/s12876-020-01326-8 (2020)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Indications and diagnostic yield of small -bowel capsule endoscopy in a real -world setting  
 
Version: 0 Date: 10 Jan 2020  
 
Reviewer: Niklas Krupka  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
In this retrospective study, Kharazmi et al. aim to evaluate indi cations and diagnostic yield of 
small -bowel video capsule endoscopy (SB -VCE) in a real -world setting. Using data from 536 
SB-VCE patients over a period of 7 years, the authors report a comparably small diagnostic yield 
of 46%/39% in the two main indication s obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and Crohn's disease, 
respectively.  
 
Whereas the scope, main findings and overall impact of this study are rather limited, it is 
technically well performed and nicely presented. The authors adequately discuss their findin gs in 
the context of the available literature on SB -VCE. Given the scarcity of real -world studies of SB -
VCE and the low -quality evidence of existing studies (as mentioned in the current ESGE and 
AGA guidelines), this paper is interesting, valuable to addre ss the role of SB -VCE in a real -
world scenario.  
 
Minor point: Page 5, line 21. The authors of the 2015 ESGE and 2017 AGA guidelines strongly 
recommends against the use of SB -VCE in celiac disease in most circumstances, so this 
statement is misleading and sh ould be reworded.  
 
 
 
 
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 supported 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 specify what aspects require further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
Not relevant to this manuscript  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the qualit y of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
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1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary f rom an  
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3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the  
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holds  or has ap plied 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?  
 
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below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
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