Review for 10.1186/s12876-021-01638-3 (2021)

Reviewer’s report
Title: 
Development of a Novel Lipid Metabolism-based Risk score Model in
Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Version: 
0 
Date: 
10 Dec 2020
Reviewer's report:
This is a potentially interesting study proposing a new metabolism based
prognostic risk score for HCC patients.
However I have some major criticisms.
1) While the gene signature based score seems well designed and developed, I
have not seen any information about the study population. A table describing
population characteristics is necessary (age, sex, aetiology of liver disease, liver
functon variables, tumor charactersitics, bclc stage, treatment received).
2) To confirm the indpendent prognostic value of the score, univariable and
multivariable cox survival analysis should be performed and described in tables.
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Is the study design appropriate to answer the research question (including the use
of appropriate controls), and are the conclusions supported by the evidence
presented?
Yes
Are the methods sufficiently described to allow the study to be repeated?
Yes
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Yes
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from apparent manipulation?
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