Title: Association between weight-adjusted-waist index and gallstones: an analysis of the
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Version: 1 Date: 27 Nov 2023
Reviewer's report:
The authors investigated the association between weight-adjusted waist index and gallstone
disease. I have a major concern about the assessment of the outcome variable - gallstone
disease. The authors used self-reported gallstones and this could lead to biased results since most
gallstones are clinically silent. I also have comments below:
I would suggest a language check for this manuscript. There are minor grammar mistakes.
Title. The authors may consider indicating the use of NHANES data in the title.
Introduction. The authors wrote “gallbladder stone disease”. Do you mean gallbladder disease or
gallstone disease? Again, the authors mentioned “gallbladder stones” several times. “Gallstones”
is commonly used instead of “gallbladder stones”. Please check the manuscript thoroughly.
Methods. Covariates. How did the authors confirm the diagnosis of hypertension and diabetes?
Was it from questionnaires?
Methods. The authors should clearly indicate how these covariates were adjusted. For example,
marital status “ married, single, separated, widowed, and divorced”.
Results. The authors called Model 3 a “fully corrected model”. This is rarely used in academic
contexts.
Discussion. The authors didn’t mention the bias related to the use of a self-reported outcome
variable. Most gallstones are clinically silent, which means that it’s possible to misclassify
individuals with or without gallstones. This could lead to biased results.
Title: Association between weight-adjusted-waist index and gallstones: an analysis of the
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Version: 1 Date: 27 Nov 2023
Reviewer's report:
The authors investigated the association between weight-adjusted waist index and gallstone
disease. I have a major concern about the assessment of the outcome variable - gallstone
disease. The authors used self-reported gallstones and this could lead to biased results since most
gallstones are clinically silent. I also have comments below:
I would suggest a language check for this manuscript. There are minor grammar mistakes.
Title. The authors may consider indicating the use of NHANES data in the title.
Introduction. The authors wrote “gallbladder stone disease”. Do you mean gallbladder disease or
gallstone disease? Again, the authors mentioned “gallbladder stones” several times. “Gallstones”
is commonly used instead of “gallbladder stones”. Please check the manuscript thoroughly.
Methods. Covariates. How did the authors confirm the diagnosis of hypertension and diabetes?
Was it from questionnaires?
Methods. The authors should clearly indicate how these covariates were adjusted. For example,
marital status “ married, single, separated, widowed, and divorced”.
Results. The authors called Model 3 a “fully corrected model”. This is rarely used in academic
contexts.
Discussion. The authors didn’t mention the bias related to the use of a self-reported outcome
variable. Most gallstones are clinically silent, which means that it’s possible to misclassify
individuals with or without gallstones. This could lead to biased results.
Please review this paper.
user
Title: Association between weight-adjusted-waist index and gallstones: an analysis of the
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Version: 1 Date: 27 Nov 2023
Reviewer's report:
The authors investigated the association between weight-adjusted waist index and gallstone
disease. I have a major concern about the assessment of the outcome variable - gallstone
disease. The authors used self-reported gallstones and this could lead to biased results since most
gallstones are clinically silent. I also have comments below:
I would suggest a language check for this manuscript. There are minor grammar mistakes.
Title. The authors may consider indicating the use of NHANES data in the title.
Introduction. The authors wrote “gallbladder stone disease”. Do you mean gallbladder disease or
gallstone disease? Again, the authors mentioned “gallbladder stones” several times. “Gallstones”
is commonly used instead of “gallbladder stones”. Please check the manuscript thoroughly.
Methods. Covariates. How did the authors confirm the diagnosis of hypertension and diabetes?
Was it from questionnaires?
Methods. The authors should clearly indicate how these covariates were adjusted. For example,
marital status “ married, single, separated, widowed, and divorced”.
Results. The authors called Model 3 a “fully corrected model”. This is rarely used in academic
contexts.
Discussion. The authors didn’t mention the bias related to the use of a self-reported outcome
variable. Most gallstones are clinically silent, which means that it’s possible to misclassify
individuals with or without gallstones. This could lead to biased results.
assistant