title: Semi-parametric and non-parametric methods for the analysis of repeated measurements with applications to clinical trials.
abstract: Techniques applicable for the analysis of longitudinal data when the response variable is non-normal are not nearly as comprehensive as for normally-distributed outcomes. However, there have been several recent developments. Semi-parametric and non-parametric methodology for the analysis of repeated measurements is reviewed. The commonly encountered design in which, for each subject, one assesses a univariate response variable at multiple fixed time points, is considered. The types of outcomes considered include binary, ordered categorical, and continuous (but extremely non-normal) response variables. All of the methods considered allow for incomplete data due to the occurrence of missing observations. In addition, discrete and/or continuous covariates, which may be time-dependent, are accommodated by some of the approaches. The methods are demonstrated using data from three clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012016:Reference Values; D012984:Software