Bayesian regression analysis of data with censored initiating and terminating times: applications to aids

Abstract

Data with censored initiating and terminating times arises quite frequently in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemiologic studies. Analysis of such data involves a complicated bivariate likelihood, which is difficult to deal with computationally. Bayesian analysis, op the other hand, presents added complexities that have yet to be resolved. By exploiting the simple form of a complete data likelihood and utilizing the power of a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm, this paper presents a methodology for fitting Bayesian regression models to such data. The proposed methods extend the work of Sinha (1997), who considered non-parametric Bayesian analysis of this type of data. The methodology is illustiated with an application to a cohort of HIV infected hemophiliac patients.

Keywords:

• AIDS and HIV
• Bayesian regression analysis
• interval censoring
• MCMC algorithm

^aDepartment of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 604 Blockley Hall-423, Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, Pa 19104-6021;

^*Corresponding author.

^bDepartment of Biostatistics and epidemiologyιP88 9500, Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195:

^cDepartment of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Building 2.655 Huntington Avenue. Boston. MA 02115:

^aDepartment of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 604 Blockley Hall-423, Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, Pa 19104-6021;

^*Corresponding author.

^bDepartment of Biostatistics and epidemiologyιP88 9500, Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195:

^cDepartment of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Building 2.655 Huntington Avenue. Boston. MA 02115:

Notes

^aDepartment of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 604 Blockley Hall-423, Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, Pa 19104-6021;

^*Corresponding author.

^bDepartment of Biostatistics and epidemiologyιP88 9500, Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195:

^cDepartment of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Building 2.655 Huntington Avenue. Boston. MA 02115: