[R-pkgs] package JM -- version 1.0-0

[Dimitris Rizopoulos]

Dear R-users,

I'd like to announce the release of version 1.0-0 of package JM (already 
available from CRAN) for the joint modeling of longitudinal and 
time-to-event data using shared parameter models. These models are 
applicable in mainly two settings. First, when focus is in the survival 
outcome and we wish to account for the effect of an endogenous (aka 
internal) time-dependent covariate measured with error. Second, when 
focus is in the longitudinal outcome and we wish to correct for 
nonrandom dropout.

Some basic features of JM:

* it fits joint models for continuous longitudinal responses and allows 
for several options for the survival submodel, including PH models with 
Weibull, piecewise-constant, spline-approximated and unspecified 
baseline hazard functions. The most complete option is the PH model with 
the spline-approximated baseline hazard, which also allows for the 
inclusion of stratification factors, competing risks and (exogenous) 
time-varying covariates;

* it allows for several formulations of the association structure 
between the longitudinal and survival outcomes;

* it computes dynamic individualized predictions for the survival and 
longitudinal outcomes, which are updated as extra longitudinal 
information is recorded;

* it computes time-dependent sensitivity and specificity, and the 
corresponding ROCs and AUCs with several options for the prediction rule;

* several types of residuals are supported for both outcomes;

* fast fitting of these models is facilitated with a pseudo-adaptive 
Gaussian-Hermite rule.


The theory and application of this type of models along with a 
comprehensive overview of the capabilities of the package can be found 
in the recently published book "Joint Models for Longitudinal and 
Time-to-Event Data, with Applications in R" by Chapman and Hall/CRC 
(http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439872864). The code used in 
the book and additional material are available in the R-forge web site: 
http://jmr.r-forge.r-project.org/

Additional information can be found in the corresponding help files, and 
examples at the R wiki web page devoted to JM: 
http://rwiki.sciviews.org/doku.php?id=packages:cran:jm

As always, any kind of feedback (e.g., questions, suggestions, 
bug-reports, etc.) is more than welcome.

Best,
Dimitris


-- 
Dimitris Rizopoulos
Assistant Professor
Department of Biostatistics
Erasmus University Medical Center

Address: PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Tel: +31/(0)10/7043478
Fax: +31/(0)10/7043014
Web: http://www.erasmusmc.nl/biostatistiek/