Nonparametric estimation of median survival times with applications to multi-site or multi-center studies.

ABSTRACT: We propose a nonparametric shrinkage estimator for the median survival times from several independent samples of right-censored data, which combines the samples and hypothesis information to improve the efficiency. We compare efficiency of the proposed shrinkage estimation procedure to unrestricted estimator and combined estimator through extensive simulation studies. Our results indicate that performance of these estimators depends on the strength of homogeneity of the medians. When homogeneity holds, the combined estimator is the most efficient estimator. However, it becomes inconsistent when homogeneity fails. On the other hand, the proposed shrinkage estimator remains efficient. Its efficiency decreases as the equality of the survival medians is deviated, but is expected to be as good

SUBMITTER: Rahbar MH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5957417 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature