Reviewer's report
Title:Value of fecal calprotectin in the evaluation of patients with abdominal
discomfort: an observational study
Version: 2Date:28 September 2011
Reviewer: Yinghong Wang
Reviewer's report:
COMMENTS FOR THE AUTHOR:
This is an observational prospective study of the diagnostic value of fecal
calprotectin based on the analysis of association between fecal calprotectin and
upper or lower endoscopy findings. It is a large series of 575 patients enrolled.
The data show that higher fecal calprotectin values before the endoscopy could
reliably predict the significant organic abnormalities in the GI tract. The predictive
value is less well in the upper GI tract than in the colon.
1. Authors mentioned 136 patients had both EGD and colonoscopy, among
them, 106 patients had negative initial endoscopy evaluation. What was the
indication for repeat evaluation in 53 patients? What was the initial calprotectin
level of these specific group of 106 patients?
2. Was there a change in the calprotectin level between the initial and follow up
endoscopy? What is the time gap between the two endoscopy evaluations?
3. Can the authors speculate what will be an appropriate evaluation option, EGD
vs colonoscopy or both for a patient with abdominal discomfort based on an
elevated fecal calprotectin level?
4. Is there any data on the level of fecal calprotectin post treatment for these
significant GI diseases e.g. esophagitis, gastritis, ulcers, etc in the follow up?
Can fecal calprotectin level be used to monitor the disease activity in the non-IBD
patients?
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
Reviewer's report
Title:Value of fecal calprotectin in the evaluation of patients with abdominal
discomfort: an observational study
Version: 2Date:28 September 2011
Reviewer: Yinghong Wang
Reviewer's report:
COMMENTS FOR THE AUTHOR:
This is an observational prospective study of the diagnostic value of fecal
calprotectin based on the analysis of association between fecal calprotectin and
upper or lower endoscopy findings. It is a large series of 575 patients enrolled.
The data show that higher fecal calprotectin values before the endoscopy could
reliably predict the significant organic abnormalities in the GI tract. The predictive
value is less well in the upper GI tract than in the colon.
1. Authors mentioned 136 patients had both EGD and colonoscopy, among
them, 106 patients had negative initial endoscopy evaluation. What was the
indication for repeat evaluation in 53 patients? What was the initial calprotectin
level of these specific group of 106 patients?
2. Was there a change in the calprotectin level between the initial and follow up
endoscopy? What is the time gap between the two endoscopy evaluations?
3. Can the authors speculate what will be an appropriate evaluation option, EGD
vs colonoscopy or both for a patient with abdominal discomfort based on an
elevated fecal calprotectin level?
4. Is there any data on the level of fecal calprotectin post treatment for these
significant GI diseases e.g. esophagitis, gastritis, ulcers, etc in the follow up?
Can fecal calprotectin level be used to monitor the disease activity in the non-IBD
patients?
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report
Title:Value of fecal calprotectin in the evaluation of patients with abdominal
discomfort: an observational study
Version: 2Date:28 September 2011
Reviewer: Yinghong Wang
Reviewer's report:
COMMENTS FOR THE AUTHOR:
This is an observational prospective study of the diagnostic value of fecal
calprotectin based on the analysis of association between fecal calprotectin and
upper or lower endoscopy findings. It is a large series of 575 patients enrolled.
The data show that higher fecal calprotectin values before the endoscopy could
reliably predict the significant organic abnormalities in the GI tract. The predictive
value is less well in the upper GI tract than in the colon.
1. Authors mentioned 136 patients had both EGD and colonoscopy, among
them, 106 patients had negative initial endoscopy evaluation. What was the
indication for repeat evaluation in 53 patients? What was the initial calprotectin
level of these specific group of 106 patients?
2. Was there a change in the calprotectin level between the initial and follow up
endoscopy? What is the time gap between the two endoscopy evaluations?
3. Can the authors speculate what will be an appropriate evaluation option, EGD
vs colonoscopy or both for a patient with abdominal discomfort based on an
elevated fecal calprotectin level?
4. Is there any data on the level of fecal calprotectin post treatment for these
significant GI diseases e.g. esophagitis, gastritis, ulcers, etc in the follow up?
Can fecal calprotectin level be used to monitor the disease activity in the non-IBD
patients?
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
assistant