Reviewer's report
Title:Diagnostic Accuracy of the Aspartate Aminotransferase-to-Platelet Ratio
Index for the Prediction of Hepatitis B-Related Fibrosis: A leading Meta-Analysis.
Version: 2Date:1 November 2011
Reviewer: Valentina Medici
Reviewer's report:
Jin et al conducted a meta-analysis on the diagnostic accuracy of the aspartate
aminotransferase to platelet ratio index for the prediction of fibrosis in chronic
hepatitis B. The authors initially identified 16 studies and included 9 studies in the
final analysis. A total of 1,798 patients were included. About 53% of patients
presented significant fibrosis and cirrhosis.
The study mirrors the cited meta-analysis on chronic hepatitis C and AST to
platelets ratio as predictor of significant fibrosis in terms of statistical methods
and results presentation. However, this is the first time that this analysis is
performed in chronic hepatitis B and there are limited data on the application of
the ratio for chronic hepatitis B. Overall the study is well written and reaches
meaningful conclusions that have clinical relevance.
Major critiques
1) was there any assessment of the liver biopsies quality? Was the number of
portal tracts considered in the selection of the studies?
2) the authors should state the date range from were the studies were selected
3) the authors should present the flow diagram of studies inclusion and exclusion
4) the authors did not report the quantitative assessment of publications bias
Minor critiques
1) the meaning of the abbreviation APRI should be explained both in the abstract
and in the background
2) the number of patients included in the prediction of cirrhosis should be stated
3) the manuscript will require a revision of the English language.
For example,
a) background: “APRI has developed well in chronic hepatitis C”
b) discussion: “non-invasion markers”
c) discussion: “a plausibility of our review is that using meta-regression to test
heterogeneity...”
d) abstract and conclusions: “can also not reduce the number of liver biopsy”
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Reviewer's report
Title:Diagnostic Accuracy of the Aspartate Aminotransferase-to-Platelet Ratio
Index for the Prediction of Hepatitis B-Related Fibrosis: A leading Meta-Analysis.
Version: 2Date:1 November 2011
Reviewer: Valentina Medici
Reviewer's report:
Jin et al conducted a meta-analysis on the diagnostic accuracy of the aspartate
aminotransferase to platelet ratio index for the prediction of fibrosis in chronic
hepatitis B. The authors initially identified 16 studies and included 9 studies in the
final analysis. A total of 1,798 patients were included. About 53% of patients
presented significant fibrosis and cirrhosis.
The study mirrors the cited meta-analysis on chronic hepatitis C and AST to
platelets ratio as predictor of significant fibrosis in terms of statistical methods
and results presentation. However, this is the first time that this analysis is
performed in chronic hepatitis B and there are limited data on the application of
the ratio for chronic hepatitis B. Overall the study is well written and reaches
meaningful conclusions that have clinical relevance.
Major critiques
1) was there any assessment of the liver biopsies quality? Was the number of
portal tracts considered in the selection of the studies?
2) the authors should state the date range from were the studies were selected
3) the authors should present the flow diagram of studies inclusion and exclusion
4) the authors did not report the quantitative assessment of publications bias
Minor critiques
1) the meaning of the abbreviation APRI should be explained both in the abstract
and in the background
2) the number of patients included in the prediction of cirrhosis should be stated
3) the manuscript will require a revision of the English language.
For example,
a) background: “APRI has developed well in chronic hepatitis C”
b) discussion: “non-invasion markers”
c) discussion: “a plausibility of our review is that using meta-regression to test
heterogeneity...”
d) abstract and conclusions: “can also not reduce the number of liver biopsy”
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report
Title:Diagnostic Accuracy of the Aspartate Aminotransferase-to-Platelet Ratio
Index for the Prediction of Hepatitis B-Related Fibrosis: A leading Meta-Analysis.
Version: 2Date:1 November 2011
Reviewer: Valentina Medici
Reviewer's report:
Jin et al conducted a meta-analysis on the diagnostic accuracy of the aspartate
aminotransferase to platelet ratio index for the prediction of fibrosis in chronic
hepatitis B. The authors initially identified 16 studies and included 9 studies in the
final analysis. A total of 1,798 patients were included. About 53% of patients
presented significant fibrosis and cirrhosis.
The study mirrors the cited meta-analysis on chronic hepatitis C and AST to
platelets ratio as predictor of significant fibrosis in terms of statistical methods
and results presentation. However, this is the first time that this analysis is
performed in chronic hepatitis B and there are limited data on the application of
the ratio for chronic hepatitis B. Overall the study is well written and reaches
meaningful conclusions that have clinical relevance.
Major critiques
1) was there any assessment of the liver biopsies quality? Was the number of
portal tracts considered in the selection of the studies?
2) the authors should state the date range from were the studies were selected
3) the authors should present the flow diagram of studies inclusion and exclusion
4) the authors did not report the quantitative assessment of publications bias
Minor critiques
1) the meaning of the abbreviation APRI should be explained both in the abstract
and in the background
2) the number of patients included in the prediction of cirrhosis should be stated
3) the manuscript will require a revision of the English language.
For example,
a) background: “APRI has developed well in chronic hepatitis C”
b) discussion: “non-invasion markers”
c) discussion: “a plausibility of our review is that using meta-regression to test
heterogeneity...”
d) abstract and conclusions: “can also not reduce the number of liver biopsy”
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
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