arXiv subjects

Candida Geerdens

Publications and source records attributed to Candida Geerdens.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2017

Dependence modeling for recurrent event times subject to right-censoring with D-vine copulas

In many time-to-event studies, the event of interest is recurrent. Here, the data for each sample unit corresponds to a series of gap times between the subsequent events. Given a limited follow-up period, the last gap time might be right-censored. In contrast to classical analysis, gap times and censoring times cannot be assumed independent, i.e. the sequential nature of the data induces dependent censoring. Also, the recurrences typically vary between sample units leading to unbalanced data. To model the association pattern between gap times, so far only parametric margins combined with the restrictive class of Archimedean copulas have been considered. Here, taking the specific data features into account, we extend existing work in several directions: we allow for nonparametric margins and consider the flexible class of D-vine copulas. A global and sequential (one- and two-stage) likelihood approach are suggested. We discuss the computational efficiency of each estimation strategy. Extensive simulations show good finite sample performance of the proposed methodology. It is used to analyze the association in recurrent asthma attacks in children. The analysis reveals that a D-vine copula detects relevant insights, on how dependence changes in strength and type over time.

stat.ME↗

arXiv2016

Conditional Copula Models for Right-Censored Clustered Event Time Data

This paper proposes a modelling strategy to infer the impact of a covariate on the dependence structure of right-censored clustered event time data. The joint survival function of the event times is modelled using a parametric conditional copula whose parameter depends on a cluster-level covariate in a functional way. We use a local likelihood approach to estimate the form of the copula parameter and outline a generalized likelihood ratio-type test strategy to formally test its constancy. A bootstrap procedure is employed to obtain an approximate $p$-value for the test. The performance of the proposed estimation and testing methods are evaluated in simulations under different rates of right-censoring and for various parametric copula families, considering both parametrically and nonparametrically estimated margins. We apply the methods to data from the Diabetic Retinopathy Study to assess the impact of disease onset age on the loss of visual acuity.

stat.ME↗

arXiv2016

Vine copula based likelihood estimation of dependence patterns in multivariate event time data

In many studies multivariate event time data are generated from clusters having a possibly complex association pattern. Flexible models are needed to capture this dependence. Vine copulas serve this purpose. Inference methods for vine copulas are available for complete data. Event time data, however, are often subject to right-censoring. As a consequence, the existing inferential tools, e.g. likelihood estimation, need to be adapted. A two-stage estimation approach is proposed. First, the marginal distributions are modeled. Second, the dependence structure modeled by a vine copula is estimated via likelihood maximization. Due to the right-censoring single and double integrals show up in the copula likelihood expression such that numerical integration is needed for its evaluation. For the dependence modeling a sequential estimation approach that facilitates the computational challenges of the likelihood optimization is provided. A three-dimensional simulation study provides evidence for the good finite sample performance of the proposed method. Using four-dimensional mastitis data, it is shown how an appropriate vine copula model can be selected for data at hand.

stat.AP↗