Software

dtms: a Stata package for the estimation of discrete-time multistate models

Abstract

The dtms package provides a suite of commands for multistate estimation in discrete time. Among its features are the following: A) a framework for organizing and saving intermediate and final results; B) up to 9 states; C) automated and fast generation of transition probabilities and their covariance matrices; D) calculation of state expectancies, mean age at first incidence, and lifetime risk; E) all results can be calculated analytically or by means of simulation; F) asymptotic covariance matrices for all analytically calculated results; G) comparisons of any number of results based on a combined covariance matrix; H) time rewards for flexible timing of transitions; I) generation of data sets with simulated trajectories; J) externally supplied results (e.g., transition probabilities, simulated data) can be processed further.