Tests for trend in developmental toxicity experiments with correlated binary data.

Abstract

In this article, the operating characteristics of recently proposed tests for trend in correlated binary data arising in laboratory studies of developmental toxicity are examined using both computer-generated and experimental data. Specifically, we consider adjusted Cochran-Armitge tests based on the Rao-Scott transformation which are of the same general form as that for uncorrelated data. In addition, generalized score tests based on generalized estimating equations allowing for extrabinomial variation in the data are discussed. Specific forms of these statistics demonstrating favorable type I and type II error rates are identified and recommended for use in practice. The application of these tests is illustrated using data from studies of developmental toxicity that have been reported in the literature.