Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title:  The Association Between Hope, Marital Status, Depression and Persistent Pain in Men 
and Women Following Cardiac Surgery  
 
Version: 0 Date: 13 Jun 2017 
 
Reviewer:  Suzanne  Fredericks  
 
Reviewer’s report:  
 
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Good initial draft of manuscript. This secondary analysis aims to examine the Association 
Between Hope, Marital Status, Depression and Persistent Pain in Men and  
 
Women Following Cardiac Surgery; however revisions are needed:  
 
1) the paper begins with an ov erview of CVD, symptoms, and self -management following 
surgery. It then moves to a discussion of hope. The transition into the discussion on hope 
is missing. This discussion then leads into the study purpose, which focuses on 
differences between men and wo men on several factors following heart surgery. In the 
introduction, the need to examine differences between men and women was not provided. 
The concept of sex was not introduced. What is the purpose of this study based on?  
 
2) a theoretical presentation t hat defines and shows the proposed/anticipated relationships 
between key variables is needed  
 
3) 3)inclusion of a framework or theory would help to provide context to the discussion. 
Also, what are the limitations and clinical implications of this study and t he findings, 
respectively.  
 
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 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 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 
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 -financ ial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
 
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below. If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
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