Title: Thiols as a Marker of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity: A Systematic Review
Version: 2 Date: 06 Jan 2023
Reviewer's report:
Congratulations to the authors for the detailed review of the topic, which is evidently
heterogeneous and evolving.  The work on the meta-analysis is indeed commendable and
thorough.
However, the studies included in this particular review and meta-analysis are inferior in quality
and are heterogeneous due to a lack of standardization, and different entities of the diseases
concerned. Only a few of the studies have been able to reach a conclusion with statistical
significance, hence the meta-analysis also could not have a significant numerical result. More
studies are obviously needed, with larger sample sizes, with a focus on a single disease (e.g.,
ulcerative colitis) and a particular stage (e.g., remission or activity). The ongoing drug regimens
which have (or have not) achieved remission are also a surrogate marker of the severity. To
summarise, performing a meta-analysis with such a small dataset without choosing a niche
population (e.g. Small bowel Crohn's disease on Biologics, where non-invasive assessment
would make a difference) would be premature and would not have a practice-changing influence
on the current management.
Title: Thiols as a Marker of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity: A Systematic Review
Version: 2 Date: 06 Jan 2023
Reviewer's report:
Congratulations to the authors for the detailed review of the topic, which is evidently
heterogeneous and evolving.  The work on the meta-analysis is indeed commendable and
thorough.
However, the studies included in this particular review and meta-analysis are inferior in quality
and are heterogeneous due to a lack of standardization, and different entities of the diseases
concerned. Only a few of the studies have been able to reach a conclusion with statistical
significance, hence the meta-analysis also could not have a significant numerical result. More
studies are obviously needed, with larger sample sizes, with a focus on a single disease (e.g.,
ulcerative colitis) and a particular stage (e.g., remission or activity). The ongoing drug regimens
which have (or have not) achieved remission are also a surrogate marker of the severity. To
summarise, performing a meta-analysis with such a small dataset without choosing a niche
population (e.g. Small bowel Crohn's disease on Biologics, where non-invasive assessment
would make a difference) would be premature and would not have a practice-changing influence
on the current management.
Please review this paper.
user
Title: Thiols as a Marker of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity: A Systematic Review
Version: 2 Date: 06 Jan 2023
Reviewer's report:
Congratulations to the authors for the detailed review of the topic, which is evidently
heterogeneous and evolving.  The work on the meta-analysis is indeed commendable and
thorough.
However, the studies included in this particular review and meta-analysis are inferior in quality
and are heterogeneous due to a lack of standardization, and different entities of the diseases
concerned. Only a few of the studies have been able to reach a conclusion with statistical
significance, hence the meta-analysis also could not have a significant numerical result. More
studies are obviously needed, with larger sample sizes, with a focus on a single disease (e.g.,
ulcerative colitis) and a particular stage (e.g., remission or activity). The ongoing drug regimens
which have (or have not) achieved remission are also a surrogate marker of the severity. To
summarise, performing a meta-analysis with such a small dataset without choosing a niche
population (e.g. Small bowel Crohn's disease on Biologics, where non-invasive assessment
would make a difference) would be premature and would not have a practice-changing influence
on the current management.
assistant