Title: Association between wet-bulb globe temperature with peptic ulcer disease in different
geographic regions in a large Taiwanese population study
Version: 2 Date: 18 Feb 2025
Reviewer's report:
Thank you for this opportunity to review this interesting paper, which focus on the impacts of
wbgt on PUD in Taiwan. The findings are relatively interesting, while there may still exist some
concerns.
Introduction
1. The introduction cites evidence linking increased PUD risk to cold temperatures, whereas
WBGT is traditionally utilized to assess heat exposure. Given that the study focuses on daytime
temperatures, the rationale for selecting WBGT over ambient temperature, which may more
accurately capture cold effects, requires clarification.
Methods:
2. Study participants: Is there available data on socioeconomic status, such as household income
or social deprivation indices?
3. Study design: The manuscript should specify whether the study design is cohort or cross-
sectional. Additionally, clarify if only baseline data were utilized.
4. Fig1. Better to show minimum analytic units used in this study. I think it is township.
5. PUD definition: Has the PUD diagnosis undergone validation? If so, what is the accuracy of
this validation?
6. Statistical analysis: Including only variables that reach statistical significance in multivariable
models is generally discouraged, as univariable analyses may not capture the complete context.
It is advisable to incorporate all potential confounders and report the corresponding results.
Moreover, the assumption of a linear relationship appears arbitrary; exploring potential non-
linear associations is recommended.
Results:
7. Presenting pooled results for the entirety of Taiwan would provide readers with a
comprehensive understanding of the relationship under investigation.
Title: Association between wet-bulb globe temperature with peptic ulcer disease in different
geographic regions in a large Taiwanese population study
Version: 2 Date: 18 Feb 2025
Reviewer's report:
Thank you for this opportunity to review this interesting paper, which focus on the impacts of
wbgt on PUD in Taiwan. The findings are relatively interesting, while there may still exist some
concerns.
Introduction
1. The introduction cites evidence linking increased PUD risk to cold temperatures, whereas
WBGT is traditionally utilized to assess heat exposure. Given that the study focuses on daytime
temperatures, the rationale for selecting WBGT over ambient temperature, which may more
accurately capture cold effects, requires clarification.
Methods:
2. Study participants: Is there available data on socioeconomic status, such as household income
or social deprivation indices?
3. Study design: The manuscript should specify whether the study design is cohort or cross-
sectional. Additionally, clarify if only baseline data were utilized.
4. Fig1. Better to show minimum analytic units used in this study. I think it is township.
5. PUD definition: Has the PUD diagnosis undergone validation? If so, what is the accuracy of
this validation?
6. Statistical analysis: Including only variables that reach statistical significance in multivariable
models is generally discouraged, as univariable analyses may not capture the complete context.
It is advisable to incorporate all potential confounders and report the corresponding results.
Moreover, the assumption of a linear relationship appears arbitrary; exploring potential non-
linear associations is recommended.
Results:
7. Presenting pooled results for the entirety of Taiwan would provide readers with a
comprehensive understanding of the relationship under investigation.
Please review this paper.
user
Title: Association between wet-bulb globe temperature with peptic ulcer disease in different
geographic regions in a large Taiwanese population study
Version: 2 Date: 18 Feb 2025
Reviewer's report:
Thank you for this opportunity to review this interesting paper, which focus on the impacts of
wbgt on PUD in Taiwan. The findings are relatively interesting, while there may still exist some
concerns.
Introduction
1. The introduction cites evidence linking increased PUD risk to cold temperatures, whereas
WBGT is traditionally utilized to assess heat exposure. Given that the study focuses on daytime
temperatures, the rationale for selecting WBGT over ambient temperature, which may more
accurately capture cold effects, requires clarification.
Methods:
2. Study participants: Is there available data on socioeconomic status, such as household income
or social deprivation indices?
3. Study design: The manuscript should specify whether the study design is cohort or cross-
sectional. Additionally, clarify if only baseline data were utilized.
4. Fig1. Better to show minimum analytic units used in this study. I think it is township.
5. PUD definition: Has the PUD diagnosis undergone validation? If so, what is the accuracy of
this validation?
6. Statistical analysis: Including only variables that reach statistical significance in multivariable
models is generally discouraged, as univariable analyses may not capture the complete context.
It is advisable to incorporate all potential confounders and report the corresponding results.
Moreover, the assumption of a linear relationship appears arbitrary; exploring potential non-
linear associations is recommended.
Results:
7. Presenting pooled results for the entirety of Taiwan would provide readers with a
comprehensive understanding of the relationship under investigation.
assistant