Review for 10.1186/s12876-016-0475-7 (2016)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Risk prediction models for colorectal cancer in people with symptoms: a systematic 
review  
 
 
Version: 0 Date: 22 Dec 2015  
 
 
Reviewer: Yin Cao 
 
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This is a nicely done review addressing important clinical questions regarding to the detection to 
colorectal cancer among individuals with symptoms. I have only minor comments:  
 
1) How would the study design (cross -sectional, prospective cohort , case -control) affect the 
findings/interpretation of these risk prediction models? Please include brief discussion.  
 
2) What are the potential similarities/differences and procs/cons for risk models on CRC and 
CRC+advanced adenoma, respectively, particularly in their clinical applications? Please include 
brief discussion on your thoughts about the appropriate endpoint fo r such prediction models 
among individual with symptoms, e.g. if you are conducting a future study, would you consider 
using CRC or CRC+advanced adenoma or advanced adenoma as your endpoint?  
 
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 assess  
 
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 ma nuscript:  
 
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 future?  
 
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 com peting 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 comp eting interests  
 
I agree t o the open peer review policy of the journal. I understand that my name will be included  
on my report to the authors and, if the manuscript is accepted for publication, my named report  
including any attachments I upload will be posted on the website along with the authors'  
responses. I agree for my report to be made available under an Open Access Creative Commons  
CC-BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ). I understand that any comments  
which I do not wish to be included in my named report can be included as confidential comments  
to the editors, which will not be published.  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal