Review for 10.1186/s12876-020-1178-7 (2020)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease among Patients wit h Sleep Disorders: A Nationwide 
Study of Taiwan  
 
Version: 0 Date: 17 May 2019  
 
Reviewer: Ludovico Abenavoli  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
- Introduction section: i suggest to report taht NAFLD is the hepatic border of metabolic 
syndrome, and it is related to many metabolic changes (i.e. Abenavoli et al. World J 
Gastroenterol. 201 6). I suggest also to report the exact definition of sleep apnea  
 
- Methods section: the benzodiazepines are sedative hypnotic drugs, i.e., central nervous system 
depressant drugs, that may adversely affect the control of ventilation during sleep. Prescript ion 
of these drugs may worsen sleep -related breathing disorders, especially in patients with chronic 
obstructive pulmonary disease or cardiac failure. The most frequent users of sedative hypnotics 
are the polymorbid elderly with a secondary complaint of in somnia. Although the 
benzodiazepines may reduce sleep fragmentation, their long -term use may also cause health 
problems, such as complete obstructive sleep apnea in heavy snorers or short repetitive central 
sleep apnea in patients with recent myocardial in farction. In this way are benzodiazepines 
considered as a exclusion criteria?  
 
- Discussion section: considered that these two conditions are exceedingly common in the 
general population, on the basis of the founded data, i suggest to report the profile of the patients 
with sleep apnea in which is necessary to provide the screening for NAFLD.  
 
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 r equired 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 manus cript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please speci fy 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 qua lity of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
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