Timing medical examinations via intensity functions

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Parmigiani, G
• 署名单位: Duke University
• 刊物名称: BIOMETRIKA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0006-3444
• DOI: 10.1093/biomet/84.4.803
• 发表日期: 1997
• 页码: 803816
• 关键词: natural-history; disease state; cancer; optimization; SURVEILLANCE; schedules; policies; designs

摘要

This paper studies a decision theoretic method for timing medical examinations. The specific model is motivated by screening asymptomatic individuals for hidden disease or risk-increasing conditions. Ideas and strategies may be applied more broadly to problems in which a stochastic process is monitored over time with a costly and possibly faulty data collection procedure. The decision space is modelled as a space of functions, termed screening intensity functions. Results include explicit rules for deciding whether or not an individual of given age and risk factors should be screened for a disease, and for deciding when an individual examined today should be examined again. Breast cancer screening is used as an illustration.