Reviewer's report
Title:Psychological stress and coeliac disease in childhood: a cohort study
Version: 3Date:25 November 2009
Reviewer: Daniel Leffler
Reviewer's report:
Thank you for allowing me to review the present study entitled: "psychological
stress and coeliac disease in childhood: a cohort study'. The concept that via
some affect on the immune system, early stress may precipitate the development
of autoimmune disease has been around for quite some time, though with limited
evidence. this study makes use of a large, well designed, prospectively collected
database on family stressors in the years after a child's birth.
This paper is well written, addresses a relevant topic and I really have no major
comments or suggestions.
One point that the authors may consider, although it may be beyond the scope of
this work, is the reverse of their hypothesis. E.g. Not just what is the effect of
family stress on the development of celiac disease, but what is the effect of the
development of celiac disease on subsequent family stress. I think this would be
a fruitful area to explore.
Minor comments: Second paragraph on page 7: 'tree' should be 'three'
first paragraph on page 8: CD at age... would be clearer if stated CD after age...
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
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:Psychological stress and coeliac disease in childhood: a cohort study
Version: 3Date:25 November 2009
Reviewer: Daniel Leffler
Reviewer's report:
Thank you for allowing me to review the present study entitled: "psychological
stress and coeliac disease in childhood: a cohort study'. The concept that via
some affect on the immune system, early stress may precipitate the development
of autoimmune disease has been around for quite some time, though with limited
evidence. this study makes use of a large, well designed, prospectively collected
database on family stressors in the years after a child's birth.
This paper is well written, addresses a relevant topic and I really have no major
comments or suggestions.
One point that the authors may consider, although it may be beyond the scope of
this work, is the reverse of their hypothesis. E.g. Not just what is the effect of
family stress on the development of celiac disease, but what is the effect of the
development of celiac disease on subsequent family stress. I think this would be
a fruitful area to explore.
Minor comments: Second paragraph on page 7: 'tree' should be 'three'
first paragraph on page 8: CD at age... would be clearer if stated CD after age...
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
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:Psychological stress and coeliac disease in childhood: a cohort study
Version: 3Date:25 November 2009
Reviewer: Daniel Leffler
Reviewer's report:
Thank you for allowing me to review the present study entitled: "psychological
stress and coeliac disease in childhood: a cohort study'. The concept that via
some affect on the immune system, early stress may precipitate the development
of autoimmune disease has been around for quite some time, though with limited
evidence. this study makes use of a large, well designed, prospectively collected
database on family stressors in the years after a child's birth.
This paper is well written, addresses a relevant topic and I really have no major
comments or suggestions.
One point that the authors may consider, although it may be beyond the scope of
this work, is the reverse of their hypothesis. E.g. Not just what is the effect of
family stress on the development of celiac disease, but what is the effect of the
development of celiac disease on subsequent family stress. I think this would be
a fruitful area to explore.
Minor comments: Second paragraph on page 7: 'tree' should be 'three'
first paragraph on page 8: CD at age... would be clearer if stated CD after age...
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
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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