Targeted Maximum Likelihood Based Causal Inference: Part II

• Published in: The International Journal of Biostatistics Vol. 6; no. 2; pp. 3 - 35
• Main Author: van der Laan, Mark J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany bepress 22.02.2010; De Gruyter; Berkeley Electronic Press
• Subjects: Algorithms; Anti-Retroviral Agents - administration & dosage; causal effect; causal graph; Causality; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; censored data; collaborative double robust; Computer Simulation; cross-validation; double robust; dynamic treatment regimens; efficient influence curve; estimating function; estimator selection; General Biostatistics; HIV Infections - drug therapy; locally efficient; Longitudinal Studies; loss function; marginal structural models for dynamic treatments; maximum likelihood estimation; model selection; Models, Statistical; path-wise derivative; Probability; randomized controlled trials; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Research Design - statistics & numerical data; sieve; super-learning; Survival Analysis; targeted maximum likelihood estimation; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; censored data; targeted maximum likelihood estimation; double robust; model selection; cross-validation; marginal structural models for dynamic treatments; estimator selection; randomized controlled trials; causal graph; maximum likelihood estimation; efficient influence curve; loss function; path-wise derivative; causal effect; collaborative double robust; locally efficient; super-learning; dynamic treatment regimens; sieve; estimating function
• ISSN: 1557-4679; 1557-4679
• DOI: 10.2202/1557-4679.1241

Abstract In this article, we provide a template for the practical implementation of the targeted maximum likelihood estimator for analyzing causal effects of multiple time point interventions, for which the methodology was developed and presented in Part I. In addition, the application of this template is demonstrated in two important estimation problems: estimation of the effect of individualized treatment rules based on marginal structural models for treatment rules, and the effect of a baseline treatment on survival in a randomized clinical trial in which the time till event is subject to right censoring. Recommended Citation van der Laan, Mark J. (2010) "Targeted Maximum Likelihood Based Causal Inference: Part II," The International Journal of Biostatistics: Vol. 6 : Iss. 2, Article 3. DOI: 10.2202/1557-4679.1241 Available at: http://www.bepress.com/ijb/vol6/iss2/3