Review for 10.1186/s12876-018-0790-2 (2018)

Reviewer ’s report  
Title: Sustained Efficacy Following Resolution of Frequent Hea rtburn With an Over -the-
Counter Regimen of Esomeprazole 20 mg or Placebo for 14 Days: Two Randomized Trials  
 
Version: 2 Date: 18 Feb 2018  
 
Reviewer: Okello Samson  
 
Reviewer's report:  
Peura et al, evaluated  the efficacy of over -the-Counter Esomeprazole 20 mg or Placebo for 14 
days to resolve frequent Heartburn using pooled data from 2 prior double -blind RCTs. The 
authors found that greater run -in heartburn frequency was a significant negative predictor of 
heartburn resolution during follow -up and that among the on -treatment efficacy variables, the 
best predictor of resolution during follow -up was resolution during the last seven days of 
treatment. The major methodological flaw is use of run -in heartburn frequ ency and resolution 
during the last seven days of RCT assigned treatment. Both covariates clearly are related to 
enrolment into followup phase and outcome (confounding by indication).  
 
Are the methods approp riate and well described?  
If not, please specify 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.  
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 i s 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 quality of language in the manuscript:  
Acceptable  
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
1. Have you in the past fi ve years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an  
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financial ly from the publication of this 
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that m ay 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 n o competing interests' 
below. If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
None  
 
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to the editors, which will not be published.  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal