Comparative age-period-cohort analysis

Abstract Background Cancer surveillance researchers analyze incidence or mortality rates jointly indexed by age group and calendar period using age-period-cohort models. Many studies consider age- and period-specific rates in two or more strata defined by sex, race/ethnicity, etc. A comprehensive ch...

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Main Authors: Philip S. Rosenberg, Adalberto Miranda-Filho, David C. Whiteman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2023-10-01
Series:BMC Medical Research Methodology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-023-02039-8
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author Philip S. Rosenberg
Adalberto Miranda-Filho
David C. Whiteman
author_facet Philip S. Rosenberg
Adalberto Miranda-Filho
David C. Whiteman
author_sort Philip S. Rosenberg
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Cancer surveillance researchers analyze incidence or mortality rates jointly indexed by age group and calendar period using age-period-cohort models. Many studies consider age- and period-specific rates in two or more strata defined by sex, race/ethnicity, etc. A comprehensive characterization of trends and patterns within each stratum can be obtained using age-period-cohort (APC) estimable functions (EF). However, currently available approaches for joint analysis and synthesis of EF are limited. Methods We develop a new method called Comparative Age-Period-Cohort Analysis to quantify similarities and differences of EF across strata. Comparative Analysis identifies whether the stratum-specific hazard rates are proportional by age, period, or cohort. Results Proportionality imposes natural constraints on the EF that can be exploited to gain efficiency and simplify the interpretation of the data. Comparative Analysis can also identify differences or diversity in proportional relationships between subsets of strata (“pattern heterogeneity”). We present three examples using cancer incidence from the United States Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program: non-malignant meningioma by sex; multiple myeloma among men stratified by race/ethnicity; and in situ melanoma by anatomic site among white women. Conclusions For studies of cancer rates with from two through to around 10 strata, which covers many outstanding questions in cancer surveillance research, our new method provides a comprehensive, coherent, and reproducible approach for joint analysis and synthesis of age-period-cohort estimable functions.
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spelling doaj.art-f263b84571cf4d27a842878149a44ae32023-11-26T13:42:56ZengBMCBMC Medical Research Methodology1471-22882023-10-0123111310.1186/s12874-023-02039-8Comparative age-period-cohort analysisPhilip S. Rosenberg0Adalberto Miranda-Filho1David C. Whiteman2Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Biostatistics Branch, National Cancer InstituteDivision of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Biostatistics Branch, National Cancer InstituteCancer Control Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research InstituteAbstract Background Cancer surveillance researchers analyze incidence or mortality rates jointly indexed by age group and calendar period using age-period-cohort models. Many studies consider age- and period-specific rates in two or more strata defined by sex, race/ethnicity, etc. A comprehensive characterization of trends and patterns within each stratum can be obtained using age-period-cohort (APC) estimable functions (EF). However, currently available approaches for joint analysis and synthesis of EF are limited. Methods We develop a new method called Comparative Age-Period-Cohort Analysis to quantify similarities and differences of EF across strata. Comparative Analysis identifies whether the stratum-specific hazard rates are proportional by age, period, or cohort. Results Proportionality imposes natural constraints on the EF that can be exploited to gain efficiency and simplify the interpretation of the data. Comparative Analysis can also identify differences or diversity in proportional relationships between subsets of strata (“pattern heterogeneity”). We present three examples using cancer incidence from the United States Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program: non-malignant meningioma by sex; multiple myeloma among men stratified by race/ethnicity; and in situ melanoma by anatomic site among white women. Conclusions For studies of cancer rates with from two through to around 10 strata, which covers many outstanding questions in cancer surveillance research, our new method provides a comprehensive, coherent, and reproducible approach for joint analysis and synthesis of age-period-cohort estimable functions.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-023-02039-8Age-period-cohort modelLexis diagramCancer surveillance researchSEER program
spellingShingle Philip S. Rosenberg
Adalberto Miranda-Filho
David C. Whiteman
Comparative age-period-cohort analysis
BMC Medical Research Methodology
Age-period-cohort model
Lexis diagram
Cancer surveillance research
SEER program
title Comparative age-period-cohort analysis
title_full Comparative age-period-cohort analysis
title_fullStr Comparative age-period-cohort analysis
title_full_unstemmed Comparative age-period-cohort analysis
title_short Comparative age-period-cohort analysis
title_sort comparative age period cohort analysis
topic Age-period-cohort model
Lexis diagram
Cancer surveillance research
SEER program
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-023-02039-8
work_keys_str_mv AT philipsrosenberg comparativeageperiodcohortanalysis
AT adalbertomirandafilho comparativeageperiodcohortanalysis
AT davidcwhiteman comparativeageperiodcohortanalysis