Review for 10.1186/s12876-020-01437-2 (2020)

Reviewer’ s report
Title: A novel predictive model based on inflammatory markers to assess the prognosis of patients
with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure:a retrospective cohort study
Version: 1Date: 13 Nov 2019
Reviewer: Faouzi Saliba
Reviewer's report:
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This is a retrospective study that aimed to establish a new model using neutrophil/lymphocyte
ratio (NLR) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) to assess the prognosis of patients withHBV related ACLF. The authors used a derivation cohort of 421 patients and a validation cohort of156 patients from three hospitals. The new score (RNTIC)The AUC included NLR, RDW and thethree component of the MELD score (Bilirubin, INR and creatinine). The AUC ROC was 0, 87better than the MELD score (0.73) in the derivation cohort and respectively 0.84 and 0.76 in thevalidation cohort.
1- Did some of these patients had ALF ? If these patients were excluded, this should be mentioned
in methods.2-As antiviral therapy play a major role in the management of these patients and affect directly
outcome, did all patients receive equally an HBV antiviral therapy ? What type of treatment was
given ?3-The severity or grading of ACLF at admission is not shown. Were some of these patients ondialysis, under mechanical ventilation ?4-Were all these patients hospitalized in the ward or were some in the ICU ?5-Infection is common and main predictor of outcome. How many of these patients had infectionat time of admission ?
Are the methods appropriate and well described?
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YesDoes the work include the necessary controls?
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Yes
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?
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YesAre 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 furtherassessment in your comments to the editors.
I am able to assess the statistics
Quality of written English
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AcceptableDeclaration of competing interests
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