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Biomedical subjects

W M Stanish

Publications and source records attributed to W M Stanish.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

A computer program for multivariate ratio analysis (MISCAT).

Analysts must deal frequently with missing data in multivariate analysis. In such cases, estimating the covariance maxtrix V of the dependent variables usually involves initial estimation and iterative adjustment of imputed missing data values, and/or smoothing of an estimate V which is not necessarily positive semi-definite. This paper presents an alternative procedure for computing estimates of relevant multivariate parameters in situations where missing data occur at random and with small probability. MISCAT is a computer program which computes multivariate ratio estimates of the means and a corresponding positive semi-definite estimate of the covariance matrix. It is an extension of GENCAT, which is a program for the generalizaed least squares analysis of categorical data. Thus, one advantage of dealing with missing data in this manner is that variation among the ratio estimates may be conveniently analyzed within MISCAT using asymptotic regression methodology, provided that sample sizes are sufficiently large. An example is given to illustrate such analysis for longitudinal data from a multicenter clinical trial.

Computers

A computer program for the generalized chi-square analysis of competing risks grouped survival data (CRISCAT).

CRISCAT is a computer program for the analysis of grouped survival data with competing risks via weighted least squares methods. Competing risks adjustments are obtained from general matrix operations using many of the strategies employed in a previously developed program (GENCAT) for multivariate categorical data. CRISCAT computes survival rates at several time points for multiple causes of failure, where each rate is adjusted for other causes in the sense that failure due to thes other causes has been eliminated as a risk. The program can generate functions of the adjusted survival rates, to which asymptotic regression models may be fit. CRISCAT yields test statistics for hypotheses involving either these functions or estimated model parameters. Thus, this computational algorithm links competing risks theory to linear models methods for contingency table analysis and provides a unified approach to estimation and hypothesis testing of functions involving competing risks adjusted rates.

Actuarial Analysis

An application of multivariate ratio methods for the analysis of a longitudinal clinical trial with missing data.

This paper presents an analysis of a longitudinal multi-center clinical trial with missing data. It illustrates the application, the appropriateness, and the limitations of a straightforward ratio estimation procedure for dealing with multivariate situations in which missing data occur at random and with small probability. The parameter estimates are computed via matrix operators such as those used for the generalized least squares analysis of catetorical data. Thus, the estimates may be conveniently analyzed by asymptotic regression methods within the same computer program which computes the estimates, provided that the sample size is sufficiently computer program which computes the estimates, provided that the sample size is sufficiently large.

Clinical Trials as Topic

A computer program for the generalized chi-square analysis of categorical data using weighted least squares (GENCAT).

GENCAT is a computer program which implements an extremely general methodology for the analysis of multivariate categorical data. This approach essentially involves the construction of test statistics for hypotheses involving functions of the observed proportions which are directed at the relationships under investigation and the estimation of corresponding model parameters via weighted least squares computations. Any compounded function of the observed proportions which can be formulated as a sequence of the following transformations of the data vector--linear, logarithmic, exponential, or the addition of a vector of constants--can be analyzed within this general framework. This algorithm produces minimum modified chi-square statistics which are obtained by partitioning the sums of squares as in ANOVA. The input data can be either: (a) frequencies from a multidimentional contingency table; (b) a victor of functions with its estimated covariance matrix; and (c) raw data in the form of integer-valued variables associated with each subject. The input format is completely flexible for the data as well as for the matrices.

Biometry