Reviewer's report
Title:A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Probiotics in the treatment of
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Version: 2Date:21 June 2008
Reviewer: Sue Wilson
Reviewer's report:
This is a well conducted systematic review which is topical and will be of wide
interest. The limitations are appropriately acknowledged.
Major point:
Page 5: “Non English language publications were excluded” – why was this
done? Are there relevant publications in other languages? What potential bias
has the exclusion of these studies generated?
Minor points:
Page 4: “where possible, lead researchers were contacted for further details” –
does this mean all were contacted but only some responded?
Page 7: It would be useful if the reasons for the 8 exclusions was added
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:
Competing interests: have recently completed a trial of probiotics for IBS
Reviewer's report
Title:A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Probiotics in the treatment of
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Version: 2Date:21 June 2008
Reviewer: Sue Wilson
Reviewer's report:
This is a well conducted systematic review which is topical and will be of wide
interest. The limitations are appropriately acknowledged.
Major point:
Page 5: “Non English language publications were excluded” – why was this
done? Are there relevant publications in other languages? What potential bias
has the exclusion of these studies generated?
Minor points:
Page 4: “where possible, lead researchers were contacted for further details” –
does this mean all were contacted but only some responded?
Page 7: It would be useful if the reasons for the 8 exclusions was added
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:
Competing interests: have recently completed a trial of probiotics for IBS
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report
Title:A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Probiotics in the treatment of
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Version: 2Date:21 June 2008
Reviewer: Sue Wilson
Reviewer's report:
This is a well conducted systematic review which is topical and will be of wide
interest. The limitations are appropriately acknowledged.
Major point:
Page 5: “Non English language publications were excluded” – why was this
done? Are there relevant publications in other languages? What potential bias
has the exclusion of these studies generated?
Minor points:
Page 4: “where possible, lead researchers were contacted for further details” –
does this mean all were contacted but only some responded?
Page 7: It would be useful if the reasons for the 8 exclusions was added
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:
Competing interests: have recently completed a trial of probiotics for IBS
assistant