Time-varying latent effect model for longitudinal data with informative observation times.

ABSTRACT: In analysis of longitudinal data, it is not uncommon that observation times of repeated measurements are subject-specific and correlated with underlying longitudinal outcomes. Taking account of the dependence between observation times and longitudinal outcomes is critical under these situations to assure the validity of statistical inference. In this article, we propose a flexible joint model for longitudinal data analysis in the presence of informative observation times. In particular, the new procedure considers the shared random-effect model and assumes a time-varying coefficient for the latent variable, allowing a flexible way of modeling longitudinal outcomes while adjusting their association with observation times. Estimating equations are developed for parameter estimation. We show

SUBMITTER: Cai N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3543780 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature