Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Self-management in condition -specific health: a systematic review of the evidence among 
women diagnosed with endometriosis  
 
Version: 0 Date: 25 Dec 2018  
 
Reviewer: Masakazu Terauchi  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Contrary to the authors' initial anticipation, studies that invest igated the effectiveness of self -
management on endometriosis -related symptoms were found to be very limited, and the resultant 
paper looks like a qualitative description of the status quo, rather than a meta -analysis based on 
systematic review which most r eaders would expect when they saw the title of the paper.  
That being said, the paper is well -organized and quite informative about the requirements for a 
study of self -management of any condition. The authors' methodology of their systematic review 
is very  strict, and the discussion is quite comprehensive. The present article in itself reveals that 
the topic "self -management of endometriosis" is still immature, warranting much more efforts in 
the field. It surely deserves publication in the journal.  
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.  
 
Unable to assess  
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript o r 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.  
 
Not relevant to this manuscript  
 
  
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
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1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an  
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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 th e above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
Unrestricted research  grant: Kikkoman Corporation  
 
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