Review for 10.1186/s12876-017-0615-8 (2017)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Serum albumin, a good indicator of persistent organ failure in acute pancreatitis  
 
Versio n: 0 Date: 15 Sep 2016  
 
Reviewer: Fuyuhiko Motoi  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Li F et al reported that Serum albumin, a good indicator of persistent organ failure in acute 
pancreatitis. Although the manuscript might have some interests in this field, there are many 
issues to be addressed.  
 
 
 
 
 
Comment;  
 
 
 They used their own definition of  organ failure (OF). More common criteria, such as 
SOFA score should be used. Or, at least, the definition they used should be compared to the 
definition commonly used.  
 
 
 
 They demonstrated serum albumin was a good predictor for persistent OF. Is it also 
useful for the predictor of mortality? Please show the data with cut -off and comment.  
 
 
 
 Ranson score is estimated mortality based on initial and 48 hrs after admission. How is 
the serum albumin after 48 hrs after admission predict the organ failure or mortality?  
 
 
 
 Please indicate the causes of acute pancreatitis. Is there any difference about the 
predictive value of albumin for POF, between the cause of pancreatitis?  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please speci fy what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
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 re quire 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:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being published  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of compe ting 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 relatin g 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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