An estimating function approach to the analysis of recurrent and terminal events.

ABSTRACT: In clinical and observational studies, the event of interest can often recur on the same subject. In a more complicated situation, there exists a terminal event (e.g., death) which stops the recurrent event process. In many such instances, the terminal event is strongly correlated with the recurrent event process. We consider the recurrent/terminal event setting and model the dependence through a shared gamma frailty that is included in both the recurrent event rate and terminal event hazard functions. Conditional on the frailty, a model is specified only for the marginal recurrent event process, hence avoiding the strong Poisson-type assumptions traditionally used. Analysis is based on estimating functions that allow for estimation of covariate effects on the recurrent event rate and term

SUBMITTER: Kalbfleisch JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3692576 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature