Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Self-management in condition -specific health: a systematic review of the evidence among 
women diagnosed with endometriosis  
 
Version: 0 Date: 23 Apr 2019  
 
Reviewer: Iris Brandes  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
The present manuscript describes the results of an important study. In terms of content and 
methodology, the manuscript can not be criticized. But all in all, it is a bit too lengthy and there 
are many repetitions.  
Therefore, I would suggest revising Table  1 by adding two more columns: Insert the study design 
and the key elements from Box 1 respectively as a column. The study questions can be inserted 
as subheadings. Therefore the result part can be shortened significantly.  
The discussion and the implicatio ns should, in my opinion, be more structured. Thus, it has to be 
distinguished according to whether this aspect concerns the woman alone (for example behavior 
change) or whether other actors such as doctors or the healthcare system have to be considered 
(for example patient -provider -partnership).  
The first sentence of the research implications reads: "The evidence from this review highlights 
that some aspects of self -management among women with endometriosis such as self -care 
activities, use of complementar y therapies and relationship with providers have been 
investigated, but the remaining elements of self -management (Box 1) require further 
investigation." This message is very important and should be discussed. What does it mean for 
the researchers, for the  doctors, for the women with endometriosis?   Is "endometriosis -specific 
education for providers caring for women with this condition" really enough? What can we learn 
from other diseases?  
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.  
 
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 manuscript o r 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 am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
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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  
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3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the  
manuscript?  
 
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holds  or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
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below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
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