Title: Prognostic value of albumin-bilirubin grade in patients with cholangiocarcinoma: A
systematic review and meta-analysis
Version: 2 Date: 17 Aug 2024
Reviewer:  Zhaohui Tang
Reviewer's report:
The study conducted a comprehensive search across multiple databases, ultimately including 14
studies with a total of 3,543 patients in the meta-analysis. The results show that a higher ALBI
grade is significantly associated with lower overall survival (OS) and lower recurrence-free
survival (RFS). Subgroup analyses indicate that the results of different ALBI grade comparisons
are consistent with the aggregated data. The study concludes that ALBI grade is an effective
prognostic indicator for patients with cholangiocarcinoma. Below are my detailed review
comments on the manuscript:
In the heterogeneity analysis, it is recommended to combine the Cochran's Q test to provide a
more comprehensive assessment of heterogeneity and to select an appropriate effect size model
based on the degree of heterogeneity.
The comparative analysis with other prognostic indicators (such as the Child-Pugh score) lacks
depth; it is suggested to include more relevant studies for citation and discussion.
The article mentions that the application of ALBI grades in different types of
cholangiocarcinoma is limited, but it does not discuss their specific performance in different
subtypes in detail. It is recommended to supplement this with relevant content, such as separately
analyzing the prognostic value of ALBI grades for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) and
extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA).
Regarding the detection of publication bias, it is suggested to include funnel plot analysis to
more intuitively demonstrate the presence of bias.
Title: Prognostic value of albumin-bilirubin grade in patients with cholangiocarcinoma: A
systematic review and meta-analysis
Version: 2 Date: 17 Aug 2024
Reviewer:  Zhaohui Tang
Reviewer's report:
The study conducted a comprehensive search across multiple databases, ultimately including 14
studies with a total of 3,543 patients in the meta-analysis. The results show that a higher ALBI
grade is significantly associated with lower overall survival (OS) and lower recurrence-free
survival (RFS). Subgroup analyses indicate that the results of different ALBI grade comparisons
are consistent with the aggregated data. The study concludes that ALBI grade is an effective
prognostic indicator for patients with cholangiocarcinoma. Below are my detailed review
comments on the manuscript:
In the heterogeneity analysis, it is recommended to combine the Cochran's Q test to provide a
more comprehensive assessment of heterogeneity and to select an appropriate effect size model
based on the degree of heterogeneity.
The comparative analysis with other prognostic indicators (such as the Child-Pugh score) lacks
depth; it is suggested to include more relevant studies for citation and discussion.
The article mentions that the application of ALBI grades in different types of
cholangiocarcinoma is limited, but it does not discuss their specific performance in different
subtypes in detail. It is recommended to supplement this with relevant content, such as separately
analyzing the prognostic value of ALBI grades for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) and
extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA).
Regarding the detection of publication bias, it is suggested to include funnel plot analysis to
more intuitively demonstrate the presence of bias.
Please review this paper.
user
Title: Prognostic value of albumin-bilirubin grade in patients with cholangiocarcinoma: A
systematic review and meta-analysis
Version: 2 Date: 17 Aug 2024
Reviewer:  Zhaohui Tang
Reviewer's report:
The study conducted a comprehensive search across multiple databases, ultimately including 14
studies with a total of 3,543 patients in the meta-analysis. The results show that a higher ALBI
grade is significantly associated with lower overall survival (OS) and lower recurrence-free
survival (RFS). Subgroup analyses indicate that the results of different ALBI grade comparisons
are consistent with the aggregated data. The study concludes that ALBI grade is an effective
prognostic indicator for patients with cholangiocarcinoma. Below are my detailed review
comments on the manuscript:
In the heterogeneity analysis, it is recommended to combine the Cochran's Q test to provide a
more comprehensive assessment of heterogeneity and to select an appropriate effect size model
based on the degree of heterogeneity.
The comparative analysis with other prognostic indicators (such as the Child-Pugh score) lacks
depth; it is suggested to include more relevant studies for citation and discussion.
The article mentions that the application of ALBI grades in different types of
cholangiocarcinoma is limited, but it does not discuss their specific performance in different
subtypes in detail. It is recommended to supplement this with relevant content, such as separately
analyzing the prognostic value of ALBI grades for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) and
extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA).
Regarding the detection of publication bias, it is suggested to include funnel plot analysis to
more intuitively demonstrate the presence of bias.
assistant