The analysis of competing events like cause-specific mortality--beware of the Kaplan-Meier method

Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2011 Jan;26(1):56-61. doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfq661. Epub 2010 Nov 8.

Abstract

Kaplan-Meier analysis is a popular method used for analysing time-to-event data. In case of competing event analyses such as that of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality, however, the Kaplan-Meier method profoundly overestimates the cumulative mortality probabilities for each of the separate causes of death. This article provides an introduction to the problem of competing events in Kaplan-Meier analysis. It explains cumulative incidence competing risk analysis and demonstrates on a cohort of elderly dialysis patients that, in contrast to the Kaplan-Meier method, application of this method yields unbiased estimates of the cumulative probabilities for cause-specific mortality.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases / mortality*
  • Cause of Death
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate*
  • Survival Rate