Thesis Format
Monograph
Degree
Master of Science
Program
Statistics and Actuarial Sciences
Collaborative Specialization
Biostatistics
Supervisor
He, Wenqing
Abstract
Dynamic treatment regimes are sequential decision rules dictating how to individualize treatments to patients based on evolving treatments and covariate history. In this thesis, we investigate two methods of estimating dynamic treatment regimes. The first method extends outcome weighted learning from two-treatments to multi-treatments and allows for negative treatment outcome. We show that under two different sets of assumptions, the Fisher consistency can be maintained. The second method estimates treatment rules by a neural classification tree. A weighted squared loss function is defined to approximate the indicator function to maintain the smoothness. A method of tree reconstruction and pruning is proposed to increase the interpretability. Simulation studies and real application to data from Sequential Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) clinical trial are conducted to illustrate the proposed methods.
Summary for Lay Audience
Traditionally, treatments for patients are decided by clinical judgments based on clinician’s experience or practice guidelines based on clinical evidence and expert opinions. Patients with the same disease often receive the same treatment. It is one-size-fits-all approach. However, patient heterogeneity makes it possible that the best treatment for one patient is suboptimal for another. Therefore, it is important to make an transition from the traditional one-size-fits-all approach to individualized treatment rule which takes personal characteristics into account and tailors treatments to patients. This thesis will present two methods of identifying individualized treatment rule, called multicategory outcome weighted learning and neural classification tree.
Recommended Citation
Shen, Junwei, "Classification-based method for estimating dynamic treatment regimes" (2020). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 7143.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/7143
Creative Commons License
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