Review for 10.1186/s12876-016-0547-8 (2016)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Increased Mortality among Men Aged 50 Years Old or Above With Elevated IgA Anti -
Transglutaminase Antibodies: NHANES III  
 
 
Version: 0 Date: 05 May 2016  
 
 
Reviewer: Anna  Myleus  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
The manuscript by A. Rubio -Tapia et al is interesting and well writ ten. I only have a few minor 
comments.  
- Abstract line 44. Please check the sentence (the relative risk of respiratory death was the 
only statistically significant cause of death?)  
- Methods, Statistical analyses, last paragraph. IgA anti -tTG + / - is her e used instead of 
positive/negative as in the rest of the manuscript, and the IgA anti -tTG referents are 
referred to as controls.  
- Results, Baseline characteristics. How large proportion of the 85 individuals with positive 
IgA anti -tTG had weak positivit y? Could this be a reason for the low proportion of EMA 
positivity seen? Although few cases, had the EMA positive cases higher anti -tTG levels?  
- Results, Baseline characteristics. Is there any knowledge on CD diagnosed prior to 
participation in NHANES? Co uld some of the individuals be CD cases not strictly 
following a GFD at the time of the study?  
- Table 1. The different ethnicities are not named in the same way as in the methods 
section.  
- Results, Mortality. Were there any differences in mortality depending on anti -tTG 
positivity (weak positive vs positive)?  
- Results. The figure 1 is not referred to, please add.  
- Figure 1. If the authors do not intend to have color printing I would sug gest different 
lines as they come out the same when printed in black and white.  
- Do the authors have any idea why there seems to be a difference between men and 
women?  
- Abbreviations. GFD is not used in the manuscript.  
- References. Please check the refe rence style for BMC gastroenterology.  
 
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.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
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.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests.  
 
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