Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Sex hormone binding globulin as a valuable biochemical marker in predicting gestational 
diabetes mellitus  Manal A. Tawfeek1*, Eman M.Alfadhli2, Abdulfatah M. Alayoubi3 Hesham 
A. El -beshbishy4 and, Fawzia A. Habib5.  
 
Version: 0 Date: 08 Feb 2016  
 
Reviewer: Giacomo Tirabassi  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Have the Authors performed statistical po wer analysis before commencing the study? Proper 
numerousness of the sample is more than fundamental in a study evaluating the statistic 
performance of a test.  
- The Authors evaluated random blood glucose. Does this mean that they have evaluated 
glycemia i ndependently of the fasting state? If that was the case, this measure could not be so 
reliable as it should be. Please clarify this point.  
- The document uploaded is disarranged. In particular, I am not able to find table 3 in the 
document. Where is it? In  addition, the part of the document containing tables and figures 
seems to be poorly arranged (e.g. the heading of the tables are misplaced).  Please arrange 
better that part, as it is very difficult to understand.  
- Confounding effects of variables able t o affect SHBG  values have not been totally 
considered. For example, was thyroid hormone levels evaluated in these patients?  
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 supported by the data s hown?  
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 aspec ts 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 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 repo rt 
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