Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title:  DIFFERENCES IN DRUG USE BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN: AN ITALIAN 
CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY  
 
Version: 0 Date: 09 Nov 2016 
 
Reviewer:  Chen  Zhang  
 
Reviewer’s report:  
 
1. More background information is needed in the introduction part. For instance, previous studies 
on the pattern of medication consumption in Italy; usage and gaps of existing studies.  
 
2. Authors need to explain how the RR were calculated? Are there any confounders to control 
while calculating the RR?  
 
3. Authors need to discuss implications for findings i n the current study, like what these findings 
can be used for (e.g., policy -making or advocate, etc.).  
 
In conclusion, authors need to provide more information regarding the background, analytical 
procedure, and implications from findings in their revision.  
 
Are the methods appropriate 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.  
 
No 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscri pt 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:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being published  
 
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 publication of this 
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an org anisation 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 reimbursem ents, 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 thi s 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 give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
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on my report to the authors and, if the manuscript is accepted for publication, my named report 
including any attachments I upload will be posted on the website along with the authors' 
responses. I agree for my report to be made available under an Open Access Creative Commons 
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to the editors, which will not be published.  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal