PONE-D-19-31436

The Evaluating Prescription Opioid Changes in Veterans (EPOCH) study: design, survey response, and baseline characteristics

PLOS ONE

Dear Dr Krebs,

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Yan Li

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Reviewers' comments:

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Comments to the Author

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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: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: This study about EPOCH has provided valuable information about the outcome of reduced/discontinued prescribed opioid among veterans and has set an example to conduct related studies. The survey is carefully designed and data is rationally analyzed. The description about results is precise as well. I personally enjoyed reading this manuscript. Some minor concerns are listed below:

1. In table 1, it shows back/spine disorder is the most commonly pain type in the survey. Is there special reason leading to massive back/spine injuries among veterans?

2. This survey has a very good response rate. What would the author think is the most important contributor?

3. I am personally very curious about what can be a potential alternative for opioid?

Reviewer #2: Thank you for the opportunity to review this manuscript, this paper is technically sound.

Please organize the tables, it's way too busy, very hard to went through, better split to 2-3 different tables,

If Fig 1 is using the table version for presenting, please rename as Table

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

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The Evaluating Prescription Opioid Changes in Veterans (EPOCH) study: design, survey response, and baseline characteristics

PONE-D-19-31436R1

Dear Dr. Krebs,

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

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With kind regards,

Yan Li

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Reviewers' comments: