Semiparametric transformation models for the case-cohort study

A general class of semiparametric transformation models is studied for analysing survival data from the case-cohort design, which was introduced by Prentice (1986). Weighted estimating equations are proposed for simultaneous estimation of the regression parameters and the transformation function. It is shown that the resulting regression estimators are asymptotically normal, with variance-covariance matrix that has a closed form and can be consistently estimated by the usual plug-in method. Simulation studies show that the proposed approach is appropriate for practical use. An application to a case-cohort dataset from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study is also given to illustrate the methodology. Copyright 2006, Oxford University Press.