Title: Association Between Dietary Potassium Intake and the Prevalence of Gallstones in
American Adults: an Assessment of Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey#########################################
Version: 2 Date: 18 Jan 2025
Reviewer's report:
This study has a clear structure, but there are several points where it can be improved. Here are
some weaknesses:
1. The connected words, unfinished sentences, and missing letters need to be corrected.
2. It mentions a "paucity of current epidemiological research" but does not provide context on
existing studies or gaps in the literature. It does not clearly emphasize why this research question
is novel or how it builds on previous findings.
3. The authors do not address the recommendations for dietary potassium intake, >3500 mg
vs. #3500 mg - the optimal potassium intake recommended by organizations such as the World
Health Organization has been defined as #3500 mg per day. Define the cut-off values for the
tertiles of potassium intake listed in the results.
4. The key observation is that the results need to be adjusted for diuretic (thiazide diuretic) intake
due to potassium losses.
5. In conclusion: The statement "highlighting the significance of dietary factors in the prevention
of gallstones" is too broad and is not supported by the data presented. The study focuses only
on potassium, not on all dietary factors.  The sentence "In the group of Americans aged 20 and
older" does not fit seamlessly into the context and seems disjointed.
Title: Association Between Dietary Potassium Intake and the Prevalence of Gallstones in
American Adults: an Assessment of Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey#########################################
Version: 2 Date: 18 Jan 2025
Reviewer's report:
This study has a clear structure, but there are several points where it can be improved. Here are
some weaknesses:
1. The connected words, unfinished sentences, and missing letters need to be corrected.
2. It mentions a "paucity of current epidemiological research" but does not provide context on
existing studies or gaps in the literature. It does not clearly emphasize why this research question
is novel or how it builds on previous findings.
3. The authors do not address the recommendations for dietary potassium intake, >3500 mg
vs. #3500 mg - the optimal potassium intake recommended by organizations such as the World
Health Organization has been defined as #3500 mg per day. Define the cut-off values for the
tertiles of potassium intake listed in the results.
4. The key observation is that the results need to be adjusted for diuretic (thiazide diuretic) intake
due to potassium losses.
5. In conclusion: The statement "highlighting the significance of dietary factors in the prevention
of gallstones" is too broad and is not supported by the data presented. The study focuses only
on potassium, not on all dietary factors.  The sentence "In the group of Americans aged 20 and
older" does not fit seamlessly into the context and seems disjointed.
Please review this paper.
user
Title: Association Between Dietary Potassium Intake and the Prevalence of Gallstones in
American Adults: an Assessment of Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey#########################################
Version: 2 Date: 18 Jan 2025
Reviewer's report:
This study has a clear structure, but there are several points where it can be improved. Here are
some weaknesses:
1. The connected words, unfinished sentences, and missing letters need to be corrected.
2. It mentions a "paucity of current epidemiological research" but does not provide context on
existing studies or gaps in the literature. It does not clearly emphasize why this research question
is novel or how it builds on previous findings.
3. The authors do not address the recommendations for dietary potassium intake, >3500 mg
vs. #3500 mg - the optimal potassium intake recommended by organizations such as the World
Health Organization has been defined as #3500 mg per day. Define the cut-off values for the
tertiles of potassium intake listed in the results.
4. The key observation is that the results need to be adjusted for diuretic (thiazide diuretic) intake
due to potassium losses.
5. In conclusion: The statement "highlighting the significance of dietary factors in the prevention
of gallstones" is too broad and is not supported by the data presented. The study focuses only
on potassium, not on all dietary factors.  The sentence "In the group of Americans aged 20 and
older" does not fit seamlessly into the context and seems disjointed.
assistant