Reviewer's report
Title:Prevalence and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection in Korea;
Nationwide multicenter study over 13 years
Version: 1Date:11 March 2013
Reviewer: Manuele Furnari
Reviewer's report:
Comment to the Author:
General:
Yet another cross-sectional study, about H pylori epidemiology, in a specific
geographical area (three in a row in about 15 years by the same working group),
but this time in a larger population and with more variables taken into
consideration.
However, analysis of epidemiological data seems comprehensive and clear.
Specific:
Major revisions:
a) Patients enrollment is not completely clear.
Why did asymptomatic patients undergo H pylori testing?
It is not clear if data were collected retrospectively or prospectively.
b) Author should state if patients provided informed consent.
c) Was the questionnaire used validated?
d) How were patients belonging to the same family unit considered?
Discretionary revisions
e) It is known that different geographic areas had different H pylori prevalence:
according to previous studies, Seoul had the lowest prevalence compared to the
other regions of South Korea.
Although seroprevalence showed downward trends in most of areas (as stated in
discussion section), is it possible that change of prevalence in the overall
population might be influenced by a different proportion of subjects included from
the provinces rather than more industrialized areas, over the decades?
f) I think the manuscript might benefit if the author would discuss why serologic
test was used rather than other non-invasive test such as UBT or SAT. (i.e.
costs/adherence/PPI usage…)
g) Have the author got information about how the association between TC and
Hp serology was in the previous periods investigated?
Level of interest: An article of limited interest
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 and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection in Korea;
Nationwide multicenter study over 13 years
Version: 1Date:11 March 2013
Reviewer: Manuele Furnari
Reviewer's report:
Comment to the Author:
General:
Yet another cross-sectional study, about H pylori epidemiology, in a specific
geographical area (three in a row in about 15 years by the same working group),
but this time in a larger population and with more variables taken into
consideration.
However, analysis of epidemiological data seems comprehensive and clear.
Specific:
Major revisions:
a) Patients enrollment is not completely clear.
Why did asymptomatic patients undergo H pylori testing?
It is not clear if data were collected retrospectively or prospectively.
b) Author should state if patients provided informed consent.
c) Was the questionnaire used validated?
d) How were patients belonging to the same family unit considered?
Discretionary revisions
e) It is known that different geographic areas had different H pylori prevalence:
according to previous studies, Seoul had the lowest prevalence compared to the
other regions of South Korea.
Although seroprevalence showed downward trends in most of areas (as stated in
discussion section), is it possible that change of prevalence in the overall
population might be influenced by a different proportion of subjects included from
the provinces rather than more industrialized areas, over the decades?
f) I think the manuscript might benefit if the author would discuss why serologic
test was used rather than other non-invasive test such as UBT or SAT. (i.e.
costs/adherence/PPI usage…)
g) Have the author got information about how the association between TC and
Hp serology was in the previous periods investigated?
Level of interest: An article of limited interest
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 and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection in Korea;
Nationwide multicenter study over 13 years
Version: 1Date:11 March 2013
Reviewer: Manuele Furnari
Reviewer's report:
Comment to the Author:
General:
Yet another cross-sectional study, about H pylori epidemiology, in a specific
geographical area (three in a row in about 15 years by the same working group),
but this time in a larger population and with more variables taken into
consideration.
However, analysis of epidemiological data seems comprehensive and clear.
Specific:
Major revisions:
a) Patients enrollment is not completely clear.
Why did asymptomatic patients undergo H pylori testing?
It is not clear if data were collected retrospectively or prospectively.
b) Author should state if patients provided informed consent.
c) Was the questionnaire used validated?
d) How were patients belonging to the same family unit considered?
Discretionary revisions
e) It is known that different geographic areas had different H pylori prevalence:
according to previous studies, Seoul had the lowest prevalence compared to the
other regions of South Korea.
Although seroprevalence showed downward trends in most of areas (as stated in
discussion section), is it possible that change of prevalence in the overall
population might be influenced by a different proportion of subjects included from
the provinces rather than more industrialized areas, over the decades?
f) I think the manuscript might benefit if the author would discuss why serologic
test was used rather than other non-invasive test such as UBT or SAT. (i.e.
costs/adherence/PPI usage…)
g) Have the author got information about how the association between TC and
Hp serology was in the previous periods investigated?
Level of interest: An article of limited interest
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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