The study included patients following total thyroidectomy and compares QOL in 14 patients who developed postsurgical hypoparathyroidism with 28 patients with an intact parathyroid function.

1. Design of the study: The authors claim this study as a case-control study. In a case-control study, groups are defined by outcomes (e.g. high vs. low QoL) aiming to identify predictors causing such outcomes. I would rather term the present study a cross-sectional study, as group are defined according to post-operative state (hypoparathyroidism vs. no hypoparathyroidism) and the investigators are comparing the two groups with respect to QoL.
2. Line 60: “hypercalciurea”?? should probably read “hypercalciuria”?
3. Line 132: It could be of interest if the authors are able to provide data on the normative scores of the RAND-36 in the Danish/western population. How high is the score normally in healthy individuals.
4. Line 220: It is reported that some other studies have shown an impaired QoL in only some but not all domains. It could be of interest if the authors report whether the previous studies have reported impairment of the same domains as the current study and discuss reasons for possible differencies.
5. Line 288: differences between patients included or not participating should be detailed. Nearly half of the potential patients did not participate. Is it possible that those participating are more severely affected, which may have motivated them to participate?
6. Table 2: Apparently, some of the included patients with HypoPT did have a residual parathyroid function. It could be of interest if the authors (in the result section) elaborates on whether QoL differs between those with compared to without residual PTH?
7. Line 394: This table is numbered “Table 1” – a typo?? (Should probably read table 3?). Following this, several tables are duplicated and all of these tales are labeled “Table 1” – a bit confusing

The authors have replied appropriately to the questions raised. However, the MS now several times use the term “no chronic HypoPT” or “without chronic HypoPT” – this may raise the question whether some of the patients without chronic HypoPT, actually have been suffering from HypoPT for less than 6 mo. after surgery. It might be easier just to term this group “without HypoPT” and maybe the first time this is mentioned add “without HypoPT as assessed 6 mo after surgery”