Multi-state models for biomedical research : new contributions in statistical modelling, software development, and applications

Abstract

This thesis contains some co ntributions for statistical models studying the disease progression. Methods developed in this thesis are largely motivated by the applications to the medical sciences. Disease progression can be well described using multi-state models. These models may be considered as a generalization of the survival process where several (intermediate) events occur successively over time. Multi-state models offer a better understanding of the process of the illness, leading to a better knowledge of the evolution of the disease over time.