Group sequential testing for cluster randomized trials with time-to-event endpoint.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

We propose group sequential methods for cluster randomized trials (CRTs) with time-to-event endpoint. The alpha spending function approach is used for sequential data monitoring. The key to this approach is determining the joint distribution of test statistics and the information fraction at the time of interim analysis. We prove that the sequentially computed log-rank statistics in CRTs do not have independent increment property. We also propose an information fraction for group sequential trials with clustered survival data and a corresponding sample size determination approach. Extensive simulation studies are conducted to evaluate the performance of our proposed testing procedure using some existing alpha spending functions in terms of expected sample size and maximal sample size. Real study examples are taken to demonstrate our method.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Li, J; Jung, S-H

Published Date

  • December 2022

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 78 / 4

Start / End Page

  • 1353 - 1364

PubMed ID

  • 34076257

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1541-0420

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1111/biom.13498

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States