Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Correlates of depressive symptoms in late middle -aged Taiwanese women: Findings fro m 
the 2009 Taiwan National Health Interview Survey  
 
Version: 1 Date: 21 Jun 2016  
 
Reviewer: John Oldroyd  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Association between diabetes and depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women: Findings 
from the 2009 Taiwan National Health Interview Survey  
 
Overall  
The authors examined the cross sectional association of diabetes (self -reported) and depr essive 
symptoms (Chinese CES -D 10) in Taiwanese postmenopausal women by secondary analysis of a 
population dataset (n=553). Diabetes, a sedentary lifestyle and living alone were associated with 
depressive symptoms, supporting the hypothesis that diabetes a nd depressive symptoms are 
related in postmenopausal Taiwanese women.  
 
Introduction  
The introduction is written very clearly. The literature review is careful.  
 
Methods  
This section is well written. Although the psychometric properties of the CES -D are p ublished, I 
would include a sentence summarizing these. The statistical analysis is well described. Self -
report of diabetes is a weak measure but this is acknowledged in the limitations section.  
 
Results  
These are very brief (one paragraph) but clear. The tables are clear.   
 
Discussion  
The discussion is good. All key findings are discussed in a coherent way. I like the discussion of 
the bi -directionality of diabetes and depression. Leading on from this, o ther relevant dimensions 
that are not discussed in detail are the bi -relationship between duration and severity of depressive 
symptoms and diabetes. Also, what is the relationship between diabetes and depression (rather 
than elevated depressive symptoms). Give that not everyone with depressive symptoms will 
develop depression, would this not be more clinically meaningful. A sentence about this would 
further strengthen this good discussion.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If no t, 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.  
 
Unable to assess  
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by t he 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, ple ase 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  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering 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 publi cation 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 curr ently 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 g ive details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
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