Joint modeling of generalized scale-change models for recurrent event and failure time data

Recurrent event and failure time data arise frequently in many clinical and observational studies. In this article, we propose a joint modeling of generalized scale-change models for the recurrent event process and the failure time, and allow the two processes to be correlated through a shared frailty. The proposed joint model is flexible in that it requires neither the Poisson assumption for the recurrent event process nor a parametric assumption on the frailty distribution. Estimating equation approaches are developed for parameter estimation, and the asymptotic properties of the resulting estimators are established. Simulation studies are conducted to evaluate the finite sample performances of the proposed method. An application to a medical cost study of chronic heart failure patients is provided.

Dynamic semiparametric transformation models for recurrent event data with a terminal event

Recurrent event data with a terminal event commonly arise in many longitudinal follow-up studies. This article proposes a class of dynamic semiparametric transformation models for the marginal mean functions of the recurrent events with a terminal event, where some covariate effects may be time-varying. An estimation procedure is developed for the model parameters, and the asymptotic properties of the resulting estimators are established. In addition, relevant significance tests are suggested for examining whether or not covariate effects vary with time, and a model checking procedure is presented for assessing the adequacy of the proposed models. The finite sample performance of the proposed estimators is examined through simulation studies, and an application to a medical cost study of chronic heart failure patients is provided.