Reviewer’s report  
 
Title: Feasibility of endometrial sampling by vaginal tampons in women with Lynch syndrome  
 
Version: 0 Date: 15 Sep 2019  
 
Reviewer: Simone Garzon  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
I read with great interest the Manuscript titled "Feasibility of endometrial sampling by vaginal 
tampons in women with Lynch syndrome" (BMWH -D-19-00628).  
 
The topic of this manuscript falls within the scope of BMC Women's Health.  
 
I was particularly pleased  to review this paper. In my honest opinion, the topic is interesting 
enough to attract the readers' attention. Methodology is well reported, and conclusions are 
supported by the data analysis. Nevertheless, authors should clarify some point and improve th e 
discussion citing relevant and novel key articles about the topic.  
 
 
In general, the Manuscript may benefit from several revisions, as suggested below:  
 
- All the text needs a language revision by a native English speaker person, in order to 
improve its r eadability.  
 
 
- Methods. After the introduction, it is clear that the aim of the study is to evaluate the 
feasibility of the tampon as methods to collect endometrial cell. Nevertheless, it is not 
clear why the evaluation of endometrial cell on the tampons wa s the secondary aim and 
the pain evaluation (it is expected as less painful compared to intrauterine sampling) was 
the primary aim. The feasibility depends from the actual collection of endometrial cells.  
 
 
- How the number of 25 patients was chosen?  
 
 
- I wou ld suggest discussing possible explanation of the fact that no endometrial cells were 
detected on tampons and, conversely, previous studies reported endometrial cells on the 
tampons.  
 
 
- Did previous studies reported about tolerability of the tampons when used in cervical 
pathology?  
 
 
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 supporte d by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manus cript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please spe cify 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 reimburse ments, 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 organi zation 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 give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
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