Statistical Modelling 12(6) (2012), 503–525
Piecewise transition models with random effects for unequally spaced longitudinal measurements
Reyhaneh Rikhtehgaran
Department of Statistics
University of Isfahan
Isfahan
Iran
email: r_rikhtegaran@stat.ui.ac.ir
Iraj Kazemi
Department of Statistics
University of Isfahan
Isfahan
Iran
Geert Verbeke
L-Biostat
Catholic University of Leuven
Leuven
Belgium
Wim de Kort
Sanquin Blood Supply
Nijmegen
the Netherlands
Emmanuel Lesaffre
Department of Biostatistics
Erasmus MC
Rotterdam
the Netherlands
Abstract:
In this paper, we consider the analysis of unequally spaced longitudinal data using transition regression models with random effects. Diffusion as well as stabilization processes will be discussed, but our main focus will be on the latter. The initial conditions problem, which usually arises in transition models with random effects, is addressed. The usefulness of the proposed model is assessed on a large database of longitudinal haemoglobin values collected from blood donations by a Dutch private organization.
Keywords:
between-subject heterogeneity; blood donation; Gibbs sampling; longitudinal data; initial conditions problem
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