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DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1634477
Survival Analysis with Time-varying Relative Risks: A Tree-Based Approach
Publication History
Publication Date:
07 February 2018 (online)
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/10.1055-s-00035037/200102/lookinside/thumbnails/10-1055-s-0038-1634477-1.jpg)
Abstract
A tree-based method for estimating time-varying effects of baseline patient characteristics on survival is introduced. A Cox-type model for censored survival data is used in which the time-varying relative risks are modelled as piecewise constants.
The tree method consists of three steps: 1. Growing the tree, in which a fast algorithm using maximized score statistics is utilized to determine the optimal change points; 2. A pruning algorithm is applied to obtain more parsimonious models; 3. Selection of a final tree, which may be either via bootstrap resampling or based on a measure of explained variation.
The piecewise constant model is more suitable for clinical interpretation of the regression parameters than the more continuously time-varying models (spline, loess, etc.) that have been proposed previously.
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