Semi-Markov models for partially censored data
Nonparametric likelihood methods are developed for the analysis of partially censored data arising from a multistate stochastic process. It is assumed that the underlying process follows a semi-Markov model in which state changes form an embedded Markov chain and sojourn times are independent with distributions depending only on adjoining states. The general likelihood function for a set of partially censored observations is determined and maximized nonparametrically. The…