Using time-varying models to estimate post-transplant survival in pediatric liver transplant recipients.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To distinguish clinical factors that have time-varying (as opposed to constant) impact upon patient and graft survival among pediatric liver transplant recipients.

Methods

Using national data from 2002 through 2013, we examined potential clinical and demographic covariates using Gray's piecewise constant time-varying coefficients (TVC) models. For both patient and graft survival, we estimated univariable and multivariable Gray's TVC, retaining significant covariates based on backward selection. We then estimated the same specification using traditional Cox proportional hazards (PH) models and compared our findings.

Results

For patient survival, covariates included recipient diagnosis, age, race/ethnicity, ventilator support, encephalopathy, creatinine levels,

SUBMITTER: Bryce CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5978879 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature