PONE-D-21-09805

Trends in stroke admissions before, during and post-peak of the COVID-19 pandemic: A one-year experience from the Qatar stroke database.

PLOS ONE

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: I Don't Know

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Important and straightforward observation of decline and rise of stroke admissions during and after the pandemic.

Some minor points to consider:

-was there an influence of vaccinations on the rise of cases?

-it is stated that 98% of all cases are admitted. This seems to be the number for all hospitalized cases? Please clarify.

-the overall young age and male preponderance needs special mentioning although the relative rates did not change over time. Also, why so few females seek hospital admission.

-no mention of minorities or non-Qataris is a clear weakness of this study and should be addressed. Where more severe strokes as seen during the pandemic due to higher admission rates of non-Qataris?

-the low mortality of around 1% needs explanation.

-Table 1 should denote that p values are for group comparisons between before and after and not other groups in the table. Or was it p for trend?

Reviewer #2: This is an interesting article examining trends in stroke admission 6 months before, 4 months during and 6 months after the COVID -19 pandemic. One question - the authors state that the numbers of Afib patients was likely fewer due to fewer holter monitors being placed during the pandemic, however can you expand this thought? How many stroke patients are routinely diagnosed as having afib as an outpatient with a Holter Monitor? Presumably most patients with Afib would still be diagnosed from their telemetry monitoring.

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Reviewer #1: Yes: Michael Brainin MD

Reviewer #2: No

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Trends in stroke admissions before, during and post-peak of the COVID-19 pandemic: A one-year experience from the Qatar stroke database.

PONE-D-21-09805R1

Dear Dr. Shuaib,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Chiara Lazzeri

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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