Document 0306
 DOCN  M9550306
 TI    Non-parametric analysis of transfusion-related HIV and AIDS incidence
       data.
 DT    9505
 AU    Motika M; Becker NG; Wylie B; Learmont J; Kaldor J; Department of
       Statistics, La Trobe University, Bundoora VIC,; Australia.
 SO    Stat Med. 1994 Oct 15-30;13(19-20):2043-58. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/95149001
 AB    The method for making non-parametric inferences about the probability
       distribution of the incubation period for AIDS from transfusion-related
       AIDS data is extended to include data on individuals who have tested
       positive for HIV but do not have AIDS at the time of analysis. The
       method is illustrated with data on individuals infected by transfusion
       in Australia. The shape of the incubation distribution, as represented
       by the truncated distribution function, can be estimated, but the
       additional data contribute very little to the estimation of this shape.
       With a general non-parametric form for the incubation distribution the
       additional data do not overcome the identifiability problem that exists
       for non-parametric estimation of this distribution from AIDS data alone.
       If quarterly rates for HIV testing are specified, the additional data
       make it possible to estimate the cumulative distribution function for
       the incubation period. This is also possible when a simple parametric
       form, with one or two unknown parameters, is used for the testing rates.
       However, the additional data do not allow effective estimation of the
       HIV testing rates. The estimated shape of the incubation distribution
       indicates a higher proportion of short incubation periods than an
       earlier estimate based on U.S. data. Estimates for the incubation
       distribution itself do not vary much over a plausible range of HIV
       testing rates.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/EPIDEMIOLOGY/*TRANSMISSION  Blood
       Transfusion/*ADVERSE EFFECTS/STATISTICS & NUMER DATA  Cohort Studies
       Confidence Intervals  *Disease Progression  Human  HIV
       Infections/EPIDEMIOLOGY/*TRANSMISSION  Incidence  Likelihood Functions
       New South Wales/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Population Surveillance/*METHODS
       Statistics, Nonparametric  Time Factors  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).