A systematic model specification procedure for an illness-death model without recovery.

ABSTRACT: Multi-state models are a flexible tool for analyzing complex time-to-event problems with multiple endpoints. Compared to the Cox regression model with a single endpoint or a summarizing composite endpoint, they can provide a more detailed insight into the disease process. Furthermore, prognosis can be improved by including information from intermediate events occurring during the course of the disease. Different model variants, options and additional assumptions provide many possibilities, but at the same time complicate the implementation of multi-state techniques. So far, no guiding literature is available to specify a multi-state model systematically. The objective of this work was to set up a general specification procedure for an illness-death model that optimizes the model fit and pr

SUBMITTER: Eulenburg C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4395319 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature