| The generalized estimating equation (GEE) approach is a widely used statistical method in the analysis of longitudinal data in clinical and epidemiological studies. It is an extension of the generalized linear model (GLM) method to correlated data such that valid standard errors of the parameter estimates can be drawn. Unlike the GLM method, which is based on the maximum likelihood theory for independent observations, the GEE method is based on the quasilikelihood theory and no assumption is made about the distribution of response observations. Therefore, Akaike’s information criterion, a widely used method for model selection in GLM, is not applicable to GEE directly. However, Pan (Biometrics 2001; 57: 120–125) proposed a model-selection method for GEE... |
