Title: Efficacy of Probiotic, Prebiotic, and Synbiotics Supplements in individuals with Anemia:
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Version: 1 Date: 13 Nov 2024
Reviewer:  Quezia Damaris Jones Severino Vasconcelos
Reviewer's report:
Dear Qian Hu and colleagues,
Thank you for the opportunity to review your systematic review manuscript. The paper is
well-structured and provides valuable insights into emerging findings about the use of pro and
prebiotics in anemia. However, I have included specific comments and suggestions below to
help enhance its clarity and precision.
1. Abstract: It would be helpful to clarify if synbiotics were indeed included in the study. Based
on your inclusion criteria, it appears that only studies using probiotics and prebiotics were
considered. However, synbiotics are mentioned in your results section, which may cause some
confusion.
2. Introduction: I suggest mentioning the prevalence of anemia in the male population, especially
among older age groups, as this demographic aspect is less commonly addressed but relevant.
Additionally, you may want to balance your discussion by addressing probiotics, prebiotics, and
synbiotics (if included) equally. Consider discussing what each of these are, their applications,
and their potential benefits for anemia to provide a more comprehensive introduction.
3. Methods: In the intervention, please clarify whether you are referring to a combination
of probiotics and prebiotics or to synbiotics specifically, as this distinction is important.
Additionally, I recommend specifying the exact date range of your database search, e.g., “from
July 2024 to September 2024.”
4. Results: In your flow diagram, please ensure the total number of records identified across
all databases is provided in the first box. Additionally, add spaces after equal signs, e.g., “n =
13” rather than “n =13,” for better readability. In the exclusion criteria, provide further details
where possible, such as studies excluded due to incomplete data on anemia diagnostics (n =
2). Lastly, please correct the final box label to “Studies included in this review.” I also suggest
excluding the “Study Design” column in your table, as all studies included are RCTs, making
this information redundant.
5. Discussion: Please only introduce abbreviations if the terms are used more than once, as this
will simplify the text for readers. Maybe discuss more about the beneficial aspects of -pro and
prebiotics (and synbiotics if is the case) for anemia, what mechanisms etc.
6. Conclusion: I recommend avoiding references to animal research in your conclusion, as your
review focuses exclusively on RCTs. Be cautious about generalizing the findings beyond the
scope of the included studies.
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding these comments.
Kind regards,
QJ
Title: Efficacy of Probiotic, Prebiotic, and Synbiotics Supplements in individuals with Anemia:
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Version: 1 Date: 13 Nov 2024
Reviewer:  Quezia Damaris Jones Severino Vasconcelos
Reviewer's report:
Dear Qian Hu and colleagues,
Thank you for the opportunity to review your systematic review manuscript. The paper is
well-structured and provides valuable insights into emerging findings about the use of pro and
prebiotics in anemia. However, I have included specific comments and suggestions below to
help enhance its clarity and precision.
1. Abstract: It would be helpful to clarify if synbiotics were indeed included in the study. Based
on your inclusion criteria, it appears that only studies using probiotics and prebiotics were
considered. However, synbiotics are mentioned in your results section, which may cause some
confusion.
2. Introduction: I suggest mentioning the prevalence of anemia in the male population, especially
among older age groups, as this demographic aspect is less commonly addressed but relevant.
Additionally, you may want to balance your discussion by addressing probiotics, prebiotics, and
synbiotics (if included) equally. Consider discussing what each of these are, their applications,
and their potential benefits for anemia to provide a more comprehensive introduction.
3. Methods: In the intervention, please clarify whether you are referring to a combination
of probiotics and prebiotics or to synbiotics specifically, as this distinction is important.
Additionally, I recommend specifying the exact date range of your database search, e.g., “from
July 2024 to September 2024.”
4. Results: In your flow diagram, please ensure the total number of records identified across
all databases is provided in the first box. Additionally, add spaces after equal signs, e.g., “n =
13” rather than “n =13,” for better readability. In the exclusion criteria, provide further details
where possible, such as studies excluded due to incomplete data on anemia diagnostics (n =
2). Lastly, please correct the final box label to “Studies included in this review.” I also suggest
excluding the “Study Design” column in your table, as all studies included are RCTs, making
this information redundant.
5. Discussion: Please only introduce abbreviations if the terms are used more than once, as this
will simplify the text for readers. Maybe discuss more about the beneficial aspects of -pro and
prebiotics (and synbiotics if is the case) for anemia, what mechanisms etc.
6. Conclusion: I recommend avoiding references to animal research in your conclusion, as your
review focuses exclusively on RCTs. Be cautious about generalizing the findings beyond the
scope of the included studies.
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding these comments.
Kind regards,
QJ
Please review this paper.
user
Title: Efficacy of Probiotic, Prebiotic, and Synbiotics Supplements in individuals with Anemia:
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Version: 1 Date: 13 Nov 2024
Reviewer:  Quezia Damaris Jones Severino Vasconcelos
Reviewer's report:
Dear Qian Hu and colleagues,
Thank you for the opportunity to review your systematic review manuscript. The paper is
well-structured and provides valuable insights into emerging findings about the use of pro and
prebiotics in anemia. However, I have included specific comments and suggestions below to
help enhance its clarity and precision.
1. Abstract: It would be helpful to clarify if synbiotics were indeed included in the study. Based
on your inclusion criteria, it appears that only studies using probiotics and prebiotics were
considered. However, synbiotics are mentioned in your results section, which may cause some
confusion.
2. Introduction: I suggest mentioning the prevalence of anemia in the male population, especially
among older age groups, as this demographic aspect is less commonly addressed but relevant.
Additionally, you may want to balance your discussion by addressing probiotics, prebiotics, and
synbiotics (if included) equally. Consider discussing what each of these are, their applications,
and their potential benefits for anemia to provide a more comprehensive introduction.
3. Methods: In the intervention, please clarify whether you are referring to a combination
of probiotics and prebiotics or to synbiotics specifically, as this distinction is important.
Additionally, I recommend specifying the exact date range of your database search, e.g., “from
July 2024 to September 2024.”
4. Results: In your flow diagram, please ensure the total number of records identified across
all databases is provided in the first box. Additionally, add spaces after equal signs, e.g., “n =
13” rather than “n =13,” for better readability. In the exclusion criteria, provide further details
where possible, such as studies excluded due to incomplete data on anemia diagnostics (n =
2). Lastly, please correct the final box label to “Studies included in this review.” I also suggest
excluding the “Study Design” column in your table, as all studies included are RCTs, making
this information redundant.
5. Discussion: Please only introduce abbreviations if the terms are used more than once, as this
will simplify the text for readers. Maybe discuss more about the beneficial aspects of -pro and
prebiotics (and synbiotics if is the case) for anemia, what mechanisms etc.
6. Conclusion: I recommend avoiding references to animal research in your conclusion, as your
review focuses exclusively on RCTs. Be cautious about generalizing the findings beyond the
scope of the included studies.
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding these comments.
Kind regards,
QJ
assistant