Review for 10.1186/s12876-016-0487-3 (2016)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Epilepsy as a risk factor for hepatic encephalopathy in pa tients with cirrhosis: a cohort 
study  
 
Version: 0 Date: 26 Dec 2015  
 
Reviewer: Badr Al Bawardy  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This study is a retrospective analysis of cirrhotic patients enrolled in previous RCTs looking at 
epileps y as a risk factor for hepatic encephalopathy. The manuscript is well written. The study 
does indicate that epilepsy could be a possible risk factor for developing hepatic encephalopathy. 
The authors however should emphasize limitations of this study which  render the findings as 
moderate rather than strong as indicated by the authors. I would also recommend statistician 
review.  
 
 
 
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.  
 
No 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to t he 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 recommend additional statistical review  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, conside ring 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 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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on my report to the authors and, if the manuscript is accepted for publication, my named report  
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I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal