Design and analysis of time-to-pregnancy

Thomas Scheike, Niels Keiding

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

51 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Time-to-pregnancy(TTP), the duration that a couple waits from initiating attempts to conceive until conception occurs, is regarded as one of the direct measures of natural fecundity. Statistical tools for designing and analysing TTP studies belong to the general area of survival analysis, but several special features have been developed: it is customary to work in discrete time, and random heterogeneity between couples has always played a prominent role. This review works on this background with focus on how to perform valid analyses, under various prospective, retrospective and cross-sectional sampling frames. We illustrate using examples from our own experience.
Original languageEnglish
JournalStatistical Methods in Medical Research
Volume15
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)127-40
Number of pages13
ISSN0962-2802
Publication statusPublished - 2006

Bibliographical note

Keywords: Denmark; Female; Fertility; Humans; Models, Statistical; Pregnancy; Research Design; Sampling Studies; Time Factors

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