On A Simple Method For Analyzing Multivariate Survival Data Using Sample Survey Methods

Abstract

A simple technique is illustrated for analyzing multivariate survival data. The data situation arises when an individual records multiple survival events, or when individuals recording single survival events are grouped into clusters. Past work has focused on developing new methods to handle such data. Here, we use a connection between Poisson regression and survival modeling and a cluster sampling approach to adjust the variance estimates. The approach requires parametric assumption for the marginal hazard function, but avoids specification of a joint multivariate survival distribution. A simulation study demonstrates the proposed approach is a competing method of recent developed marginal approaches in the literature.