Nonparametric estimation of the multivariate survivor function: the multivariate Kaplan-Meier estimator

Lifetime Data Anal. 2018 Jan;24(1):3-27. doi: 10.1007/s10985-016-9383-y. Epub 2016 Sep 27.

Abstract

The Dabrowska (Ann Stat 16:1475-1489, 1988) product integral representation of the multivariate survivor function is extended, leading to a nonparametric survivor function estimator for an arbitrary number of failure time variates that has a simple recursive formula for its calculation. Empirical process methods are used to sketch proofs for this estimator's strong consistency and weak convergence properties. Summary measures of pairwise and higher-order dependencies are also defined and nonparametrically estimated. Simulation evaluation is given for the special case of three failure time variates.

Keywords: Censoring; Dabrowska estimator; Failure times; Kaplan–Meier estimator; Multivariate; Nonparametric; Product integral; Survivor function; Trivariate dependency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate*
  • Multivariate Analysis*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric*
  • Survival Analysis