Review for 10.1186/s12876-019-0969-1 (2019)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Comparison of the Prevalence, Severity, and R isk Factors for Hepatic Steatosis in HIV -
Infected and Uninfected People  
 
Version: 0 Date: 19 Oct 2018  
 
Reviewer: Reviewer 2  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
PEER REVIEWER ASSESSMENTS:  
 
OBJECTIVE - Full research articles: is there a clear objective that addresses a testable research 
question(s)  (brief or other article types: is there a clear objective)?  
Yes - there is a clear objective  
 
DESIGN - Is the current approach (including controls and analysis protocols) appropriate for the 
objective?  
Yes - the approach is appropriate  
 
EXECUTION - Are th e experiments and analyses performed with technical rigor to allow 
confidence in the results?  
No - there are minor issues  
 
INTERPRETATION - Is the current interpretation/discussion of the results reasonable and not 
overstated?  
Yes - the author's interpreta tion is reasonable  
 
OVERALL MANUSCRIPT POTENTIAL - Could an appropriately REVISED version of this 
work represent a technically sound contribution?  
Probably - with minor revisions  
PEER REVIEWER COMMENTS:  
 
GENERAL COMMENTS: The authors of the study compared the prevalence, severity and risk 
factors for hepatic stenosis among people living with HIV and general population. The 
manuscript reads well, it was well structured with appropriate headings. The methods  were 
reported in detail to allow for replication of the study. The findings were discussed adequately.  
 
REQUESTED REVISIONS:  
1. The main concern or comment is how the prevalence of hepatic stenosis was compared 
between two groups (HIV+ vs HIV -). There we re some important differences in factors between 
the two groups such as body mass index, median SAT area, median triglycerides and FIB -4. An 
appropriate method could have been one of the 'natural experiment' method, such as propensity 
score matching. The p ropensity score approach can be used to control for all observed 
confounding factors that might influence the outcome.  
2. The results of multivariable analysis. The authors should consider reporting some 
numeric values for the results with some interpreta tion. For example, 'FIB -4 remained the only' .. 
such that for each one unit in the FIB -4, the severity of steatosis increased by …  
 
 
Note: This reviewer report can be downloaded - see attached pdf file.  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
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 requ ire further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
Not relevant to this manuscript  
 
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 fut ure? 
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying 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 yes to any, please give details below.  
 
This revie wer has been recruited by a partner organization, Research Square. Reviewers with 
declared or apparent competing interests are not utilized for these reviews. This reviewer has 
agreed to publication of their comments online under a Creative Commons Attribu tion License 
attributed to Research Square and was paid a small honorarium for completing the review within 
a specified timeframe. Honoraria for reviews such as this are paid regardless of the reviewer 
recommendation.  
 
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I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal