A procedure for generating bootstrap samples for the validation of nonlinear mixed-effects population models

A method is presented for automated preparation of bootstrap data samples and their presentation to NONMEM for use in the validation of population pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic models, which have been developed with relatively small numbers of subjects. The bootstrap sampling procedure involves the use of an MS-DOS batch file and a script file for use with the public-domain text processing program, AWK, which is a single EXE file (48k in size for the version used in this report). A UNIX version of AWK is also available and UNIX users can adapt the process to their needs. Its use obviates the need for expensive, high-end statistical packages and associated script files written using in-built programming languages. The method can easily be adapted to bootstrap sampling requirements in other biomedical modelling applications.