Title: Higher relative fat mass was associated with a higher prevalence of gallstones in US adults
Version: 2 Date: 05 Feb 2025
Reviewer's report:
The manuscript under review investigates the association between RFM and gallstones using
NHANES data and compares RFM with BMI for gallstone prediction. However, the study
exhibits significant overlap with the findings of Wu, Xiaodong et al. (2025) published in the
International Journal of Surgery, which also examined the relationship between multiple obesity-
related indices, including RFM, and gallstones using NHANES data.
Both studies aim to evaluate the predictive power of RFM for gallstones and compare it with
other obesity-related indices. And both manuscripts conclude that RFM is a superior predictor of
gallstones compared to BMI, and that the association is particularly strong in specific subgroups
(e.g., younger individuals and females).  Given this high degree of similarity in research
question, methodology, and conclusions, the novelty of the current manuscript is questionable.
Without substantial new insights or methodological advancements beyond what has already
been published, the study does not offer a significant contribution to the literature.
If the authors can demonstrate a clear and meaningful distinction from the prior study, they may
consider submitting a revised version to a different venue with a stronger emphasis on novel
aspects.
Title: Higher relative fat mass was associated with a higher prevalence of gallstones in US adults
Version: 2 Date: 05 Feb 2025
Reviewer's report:
The manuscript under review investigates the association between RFM and gallstones using
NHANES data and compares RFM with BMI for gallstone prediction. However, the study
exhibits significant overlap with the findings of Wu, Xiaodong et al. (2025) published in the
International Journal of Surgery, which also examined the relationship between multiple obesity-
related indices, including RFM, and gallstones using NHANES data.
Both studies aim to evaluate the predictive power of RFM for gallstones and compare it with
other obesity-related indices. And both manuscripts conclude that RFM is a superior predictor of
gallstones compared to BMI, and that the association is particularly strong in specific subgroups
(e.g., younger individuals and females).  Given this high degree of similarity in research
question, methodology, and conclusions, the novelty of the current manuscript is questionable.
Without substantial new insights or methodological advancements beyond what has already
been published, the study does not offer a significant contribution to the literature.
If the authors can demonstrate a clear and meaningful distinction from the prior study, they may
consider submitting a revised version to a different venue with a stronger emphasis on novel
aspects.
Please review this paper.
user
Title: Higher relative fat mass was associated with a higher prevalence of gallstones in US adults
Version: 2 Date: 05 Feb 2025
Reviewer's report:
The manuscript under review investigates the association between RFM and gallstones using
NHANES data and compares RFM with BMI for gallstone prediction. However, the study
exhibits significant overlap with the findings of Wu, Xiaodong et al. (2025) published in the
International Journal of Surgery, which also examined the relationship between multiple obesity-
related indices, including RFM, and gallstones using NHANES data.
Both studies aim to evaluate the predictive power of RFM for gallstones and compare it with
other obesity-related indices. And both manuscripts conclude that RFM is a superior predictor of
gallstones compared to BMI, and that the association is particularly strong in specific subgroups
(e.g., younger individuals and females).  Given this high degree of similarity in research
question, methodology, and conclusions, the novelty of the current manuscript is questionable.
Without substantial new insights or methodological advancements beyond what has already
been published, the study does not offer a significant contribution to the literature.
If the authors can demonstrate a clear and meaningful distinction from the prior study, they may
consider submitting a revised version to a different venue with a stronger emphasis on novel
aspects.
assistant