Title: A longitudinal study of sexual activity and influencing factors in breast cancer patients
during treatment in the southwest of China: a trajectory analysis model
Version: 2 Date: 30 Mar 2024
Reviewer's report:
A longitudinal study of sexual activity and influencing factors in breast cancer patients during
treatment: a trajectory analysis model
General:
Even if the topic is interesting, the following points should be addressed before publication:
1. Abstract:
1.1 Results: The authors used logistic regression models to identify factors that affect the
classification of sexual activity trajectories. Nonetheless, the interpretations surrounding it are
unsatisfactory. Thus, it needs to be amended.
1.2 Conclusion: There is no recommendation provided. Consequently, you ought to provide
recommendations in light of the results.
2. Introduction
2.1 The majority of the sentences in the introduction's first paragraph lack a source. Thus,
you should definitely cite each source. Additionally, you should cite your sources in the third
paragraph.
2.2 It said, "The results of this study..." under the third paragraph. Which research? If this is
your study, you are unable to include the current study's results in the introduction section. Your
goal in this section should be to provide problem statements and background information. You
should revise your justification if it is based on information gathered from another study.
A revision is needed for the last paragraph.
3. Methods
3.1 Description of the study area: not written
3.2 Research design and participants
"We conducted a large number of long-term studies," the opening paragraph stated. Is a
systematic review being conducted here? What does this imply for long-term studies?
3.3 Inclusion and exclusion criteria: It needs to be rewritten more effectively.
3.4 Sample size calculation: not well written
N=Z2#PQ/d2 should be rewritten in equation form.
3.5 Study Variables
It stated that "clinical information (menopause, BMI, etc.) was ascertained by a medical record
review at the end of the study." What are the purposes of listing these variables in your study
if they were all recorded at the end?
3.6 It is recommended that a subheading be created specifically for sexual activity and the female
sexual function index (FSFI).
4. Results
• The detailed process diagram (Fig. 1) should be provided in the method section.
• The fifth column of Table 2's justification said that "t/#2/Z." Are these figures identical to one
another?
• It is best to provide comparisons of demographic characteristics for continuous and categorical
variables separately.
• It is not required to read Table 3's description of the variable type. It is preferable to include
the relevant categories in the results tables.
• You provided justification for the logistic regression model utilized in this study to determine
the variables influencing the categorization of sexual activity trajectories in the technique
section. But there isn't a result associated with it. So, you should provide the result and its
corresponding interpretation in the abstract and result sections.
• The majority of discussions are based on the individual members' demographic attributes.
However, it doesn't produce any results. Overall, I think there should be significant revisions
made to this study.