Reviewer's report
Title:Effects of esomeprazole treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease on
quality of life in 12- to 17-year-old adolescents: an international health outcomes
study
Version: 1Date:30 June 2009
Reviewer: Marco Scarpa
Reviewer's report:
This is a well organized prospective assessment of the effect of esomeprazole on
quality of life of adolescent affected by GERD. The question posed by the author
is well defined and the methods are generally quite appropriate even if there are
some critcial points. The data arte sound and the manuscript adere to the
general stadard for reporting. The discussion and the conclusion are well
balanced and the limitation of the work is clearly stated as well the references.
The abstract and the title convey accurately what has been found and tye writing
is acceptable.
However there are some Major Compulsory Revisions that I feel necessary:
Was the QOLRAD questionnaire tested for comprehension in young adolescents
(12-13 years old boys or girls might not necessarily understand all the questions
posed). If the aim of the study was to validate the QOLRAD in young patients we
should be sure that they understand it (and in every language). I feel that this is a
major point of concern.
Moreover, this study was conducted in different countries. Were the cross
cultural differences taken in account in the analysis of quality of life?
Was the distribution of the data assessed? Was it normal? Why did the authors
not use nonparametric tests such as Wilcoxon paired test instead of paired t test
that should be used only in case of normal distribution?
If the data were not normal median and IQ range would be a more appropriate
way to present them.
Could the authors explain better and with more details why they considered
"differences in QOLRAD scores 0.5 or more as clinically significant"? Is it a
standard use in QOLRAD anayisis?
The last paragraph of the results section is unclear: could the authors rewrite it
more clearly?
Reviewer's report
Title:Effects of esomeprazole treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease on
quality of life in 12- to 17-year-old adolescents: an international health outcomes
study
Version: 1Date:30 June 2009
Reviewer: Marco Scarpa
Reviewer's report:
This is a well organized prospective assessment of the effect of esomeprazole on
quality of life of adolescent affected by GERD. The question posed by the author
is well defined and the methods are generally quite appropriate even if there are
some critcial points. The data arte sound and the manuscript adere to the
general stadard for reporting. The discussion and the conclusion are well
balanced and the limitation of the work is clearly stated as well the references.
The abstract and the title convey accurately what has been found and tye writing
is acceptable.
However there are some Major Compulsory Revisions that I feel necessary:
Was the QOLRAD questionnaire tested for comprehension in young adolescents
(12-13 years old boys or girls might not necessarily understand all the questions
posed). If the aim of the study was to validate the QOLRAD in young patients we
should be sure that they understand it (and in every language). I feel that this is a
major point of concern.
Moreover, this study was conducted in different countries. Were the cross
cultural differences taken in account in the analysis of quality of life?
Was the distribution of the data assessed? Was it normal? Why did the authors
not use nonparametric tests such as Wilcoxon paired test instead of paired t test
that should be used only in case of normal distribution?
If the data were not normal median and IQ range would be a more appropriate
way to present them.
Could the authors explain better and with more details why they considered
"differences in QOLRAD scores 0.5 or more as clinically significant"? Is it a
standard use in QOLRAD anayisis?
The last paragraph of the results section is unclear: could the authors rewrite it
more clearly?
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report
Title:Effects of esomeprazole treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease on
quality of life in 12- to 17-year-old adolescents: an international health outcomes
study
Version: 1Date:30 June 2009
Reviewer: Marco Scarpa
Reviewer's report:
This is a well organized prospective assessment of the effect of esomeprazole on
quality of life of adolescent affected by GERD. The question posed by the author
is well defined and the methods are generally quite appropriate even if there are
some critcial points. The data arte sound and the manuscript adere to the
general stadard for reporting. The discussion and the conclusion are well
balanced and the limitation of the work is clearly stated as well the references.
The abstract and the title convey accurately what has been found and tye writing
is acceptable.
However there are some Major Compulsory Revisions that I feel necessary:
Was the QOLRAD questionnaire tested for comprehension in young adolescents
(12-13 years old boys or girls might not necessarily understand all the questions
posed). If the aim of the study was to validate the QOLRAD in young patients we
should be sure that they understand it (and in every language). I feel that this is a
major point of concern.
Moreover, this study was conducted in different countries. Were the cross
cultural differences taken in account in the analysis of quality of life?
Was the distribution of the data assessed? Was it normal? Why did the authors
not use nonparametric tests such as Wilcoxon paired test instead of paired t test
that should be used only in case of normal distribution?
If the data were not normal median and IQ range would be a more appropriate
way to present them.
Could the authors explain better and with more details why they considered
"differences in QOLRAD scores 0.5 or more as clinically significant"? Is it a
standard use in QOLRAD anayisis?
The last paragraph of the results section is unclear: could the authors rewrite it
more clearly?
assistant