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Joint modelling of multivariate longitudinal profiles: pitfalls of the random-effects approach
Steffen Fieuws1, Geert Verbeke
1Biostatistical Centre, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. steffen.fieuws@med.kuleuven.ac.be
Abstract:
Due to its flexibility, the random-effects approach for the joint modelling of multivariate longitudinal profiles received a lot of attention in recent publications. In this approach different mixed models are joined by specifying a common distribution for their random-effects. Parameter estimates of this common distribution can then be used to evaluate the relation between the different responses. Using bivariate longitudinal measurements on pure-tone hearing thresholds, it will be shown that such a random-effects approach can yield misleading results for evaluating this relationship.
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