Combining estimates of interest in prognostic modelling studies after multiple imputation: current practice and guidelines

<p style="text-align:justify;"> <b> Background:</b> Multiple imputation (MI) provides an effective approach to handle missing covariate data within prognostic modelling studies, as it can properly account for the missing data uncertainty. The multiply imputed datasets ar...

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Main Authors: Marshall, A, Altman, D, Holder, R, Royston, P
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: BioMed Central 2009
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author Marshall, A
Altman, D
Holder, R
Royston, P
author_facet Marshall, A
Altman, D
Holder, R
Royston, P
author_sort Marshall, A
collection OXFORD
description <p style="text-align:justify;"> <b> Background:</b> Multiple imputation (MI) provides an effective approach to handle missing covariate data within prognostic modelling studies, as it can properly account for the missing data uncertainty. The multiply imputed datasets are each analysed using standard prognostic modelling techniques to obtain the estimates of interest. The estimates from each imputed dataset are then combined into one overall estimate and variance, incorporating both the within and between imputation variability. Rubin's rules for combining these multiply imputed estimates are based on asymptotic theory. The resulting combined estimates may be more accurate if the posterior distribution of the population parameter of interest is better approximated by the normal distribution. However, the normality assumption may not be appropriate for all the parameters of interest when analysing prognostic modelling studies, such as predicted survival probabilities and model performance measures.<br/><br/> <b>Methods:</b> Guidelines for combining the estimates of interest when analysing prognostic modelling studies are provided. A literature review is performed to identify current practice for combining such estimates in prognostic modelling studies.<br/><br/> <b>Results:</b> Methods for combining all reported estimates after MI were not well reported in the current literature. Rubin's rules without applying any transformations were the standard approach used, when any method was stated.<br/><br/> <b>Conclusion:</b> The proposed simple guidelines for combining estimates after MI may lead to a wider and more appropriate use of MI in future prognostic modelling studies. </p>
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spelling oxford-uuid:cec3fbfa-77d2-4069-b81b-4dd4cf4960ac2022-03-27T07:37:57ZCombining estimates of interest in prognostic modelling studies after multiple imputation: current practice and guidelinesJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:cec3fbfa-77d2-4069-b81b-4dd4cf4960acEnglishSymplectic Elements at OxfordBioMed Central2009Marshall, AAltman, DHolder, RRoyston, P <p style="text-align:justify;"> <b> Background:</b> Multiple imputation (MI) provides an effective approach to handle missing covariate data within prognostic modelling studies, as it can properly account for the missing data uncertainty. The multiply imputed datasets are each analysed using standard prognostic modelling techniques to obtain the estimates of interest. The estimates from each imputed dataset are then combined into one overall estimate and variance, incorporating both the within and between imputation variability. Rubin's rules for combining these multiply imputed estimates are based on asymptotic theory. The resulting combined estimates may be more accurate if the posterior distribution of the population parameter of interest is better approximated by the normal distribution. However, the normality assumption may not be appropriate for all the parameters of interest when analysing prognostic modelling studies, such as predicted survival probabilities and model performance measures.<br/><br/> <b>Methods:</b> Guidelines for combining the estimates of interest when analysing prognostic modelling studies are provided. A literature review is performed to identify current practice for combining such estimates in prognostic modelling studies.<br/><br/> <b>Results:</b> Methods for combining all reported estimates after MI were not well reported in the current literature. Rubin's rules without applying any transformations were the standard approach used, when any method was stated.<br/><br/> <b>Conclusion:</b> The proposed simple guidelines for combining estimates after MI may lead to a wider and more appropriate use of MI in future prognostic modelling studies. </p>
spellingShingle Marshall, A
Altman, D
Holder, R
Royston, P
Combining estimates of interest in prognostic modelling studies after multiple imputation: current practice and guidelines
title Combining estimates of interest in prognostic modelling studies after multiple imputation: current practice and guidelines
title_full Combining estimates of interest in prognostic modelling studies after multiple imputation: current practice and guidelines
title_fullStr Combining estimates of interest in prognostic modelling studies after multiple imputation: current practice and guidelines
title_full_unstemmed Combining estimates of interest in prognostic modelling studies after multiple imputation: current practice and guidelines
title_short Combining estimates of interest in prognostic modelling studies after multiple imputation: current practice and guidelines
title_sort combining estimates of interest in prognostic modelling studies after multiple imputation current practice and guidelines
work_keys_str_mv AT marshalla combiningestimatesofinterestinprognosticmodellingstudiesaftermultipleimputationcurrentpracticeandguidelines
AT altmand combiningestimatesofinterestinprognosticmodellingstudiesaftermultipleimputationcurrentpracticeandguidelines
AT holderr combiningestimatesofinterestinprognosticmodellingstudiesaftermultipleimputationcurrentpracticeandguidelines
AT roystonp combiningestimatesofinterestinprognosticmodellingstudiesaftermultipleimputationcurrentpracticeandguidelines