Review for 10.1186/s12876-019-1126-6 (2019)

Reviewer’ s report
Title: Prognostic Significance of the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) Score in Patients
Undergoing Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Version: 1Date: 12 Nov 2019
Reviewer: Cheng-Maw Ho
Reviewer's report:
The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis regarding the prognostic value of
CONUT score in patients undergoing liver resection for HCC. The major issue is laid on whethermeta-analysis is indicated for study. The authors stated in abstract that the clinical value of theCONUT score in HCC remains controversial, but they did not show the controversy in thebackground section in text. In Table 1, the majority cases came from studies conducted by Takagiet al. and Harimoto et al. Observed from the 7 studies included in systematic review and 5 articlesin meta-analysis (again Takagi et al. and Harimoto et al. were the main contributors), the effects onHR in overall and recurrence-free survivals were universally skewed toward more than 1, withvery low degree of heterogeneity. I cannot see any controversy in this issue so far. Therefore, itseems that a meta-analysis is not a "must to do" study because systemic review is enough forinterpretation.
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.
Unable to assessAre the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.
YesAre 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 furtherassessment in your comments to the editors.
I recommend additional statistical review
Quality of written English
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:
AcceptableDeclaration of competing interests
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