Reviewer's report
Title:Prevalence of faecal incontinence and its related factors among patients in
a Malaysian academic setting.
Version:1Date:14 March 2014
Reviewer: massimo bellini
Reviewer's report:
It is a well written paper dealing with an interesting matter, the fecal incontinence.
It represents a very important and worldwide problem afflicting, often in a silent
way, many people, especially females.
It is highly appreciable that the authors underline the need to warrant targeted
healthcare interventions and to improve public awareness.
The aim of the study is clearly defined and the methods are sufficiently described
The data are easily understandable and the discussion and conclusions are well
balanced and adequately supported by the data.
Limitations of the work are clearly stated
Major comments
1)It is highly appreciable try to estimate the unknown prevalence of fecal
incontinence in Malysia, but it is highly debatable to evaluate it only in a
gynecological /surgical setting. Many patients are seen also by a
gastroenterologist and not only by gynecologists or surgeons. The authors
should discuss this issue
2)The median age of investigated patients was very low, it is probably affected by
the fact that obstetric patients are usually young.
3)How many patients were enrolled in O&G and how many in GS? It could
heavily affect the gender distribution.
4) It is a bit strange that no statistical significant relationship was observed
between FI and gender, even if the author report some data from the literature.
probably they should better discuss this issue and precise if males with FI are
older than females
5)It would be very interesting to know how many women were still fertile?
Menopause is a well known risk factor for the occurrence of FI.
6) Was the number of parts and / or pregnancies related in some way to FI?
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
'I declare that I have no competing interests'
Reviewer's report
Title:Prevalence of faecal incontinence and its related factors among patients in
a Malaysian academic setting.
Version:1Date:14 March 2014
Reviewer: massimo bellini
Reviewer's report:
It is a well written paper dealing with an interesting matter, the fecal incontinence.
It represents a very important and worldwide problem afflicting, often in a silent
way, many people, especially females.
It is highly appreciable that the authors underline the need to warrant targeted
healthcare interventions and to improve public awareness.
The aim of the study is clearly defined and the methods are sufficiently described
The data are easily understandable and the discussion and conclusions are well
balanced and adequately supported by the data.
Limitations of the work are clearly stated
Major comments
1)It is highly appreciable try to estimate the unknown prevalence of fecal
incontinence in Malysia, but it is highly debatable to evaluate it only in a
gynecological /surgical setting. Many patients are seen also by a
gastroenterologist and not only by gynecologists or surgeons. The authors
should discuss this issue
2)The median age of investigated patients was very low, it is probably affected by
the fact that obstetric patients are usually young.
3)How many patients were enrolled in O&G and how many in GS? It could
heavily affect the gender distribution.
4) It is a bit strange that no statistical significant relationship was observed
between FI and gender, even if the author report some data from the literature.
probably they should better discuss this issue and precise if males with FI are
older than females
5)It would be very interesting to know how many women were still fertile?
Menopause is a well known risk factor for the occurrence of FI.
6) Was the number of parts and / or pregnancies related in some way to FI?
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
'I declare that I have no competing interests'
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report
Title:Prevalence of faecal incontinence and its related factors among patients in
a Malaysian academic setting.
Version:1Date:14 March 2014
Reviewer: massimo bellini
Reviewer's report:
It is a well written paper dealing with an interesting matter, the fecal incontinence.
It represents a very important and worldwide problem afflicting, often in a silent
way, many people, especially females.
It is highly appreciable that the authors underline the need to warrant targeted
healthcare interventions and to improve public awareness.
The aim of the study is clearly defined and the methods are sufficiently described
The data are easily understandable and the discussion and conclusions are well
balanced and adequately supported by the data.
Limitations of the work are clearly stated
Major comments
1)It is highly appreciable try to estimate the unknown prevalence of fecal
incontinence in Malysia, but it is highly debatable to evaluate it only in a
gynecological /surgical setting. Many patients are seen also by a
gastroenterologist and not only by gynecologists or surgeons. The authors
should discuss this issue
2)The median age of investigated patients was very low, it is probably affected by
the fact that obstetric patients are usually young.
3)How many patients were enrolled in O&G and how many in GS? It could
heavily affect the gender distribution.
4) It is a bit strange that no statistical significant relationship was observed
between FI and gender, even if the author report some data from the literature.
probably they should better discuss this issue and precise if males with FI are
older than females
5)It would be very interesting to know how many women were still fertile?
Menopause is a well known risk factor for the occurrence of FI.
6) Was the number of parts and / or pregnancies related in some way to FI?
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
'I declare that I have no competing interests'
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