Re: st: parameterising strs to avoid cumulative relative survival increase

[Enzo Coviello <enzo.coviello@alice.it>]

> Dear all,
> I am using strs to estimate relative survival and unless I make a mistake, I
> notice that excess mortality rate are allowed to be negative and therefore
> cumulative relative survival (ederer I, II or Hakulinen) is allowed to
> increase.
> Although I find interesting to have an estimation of a negative excess
> mortality rate, I would prefer cumulative relative survival to stay constant
> rather than increase when the number of deaths is smaller than expected
> during the interval (like in strel). Is there a way to parameterise strs
> this way?
> Thank you for your help
> Valerie

Yes, there is.

In -strs- the undocumented option  -adjust- 
allowed to avoid the increase of the realtive survival.
Paul Dickman, the main author of the macro, is 
contrary to the use of this option for several 
reasons  and so the -adjust- option has been removed.

In principle I agree with Paul Dickman even if I 
believe a macro is fundamentally a tool and the 
user has the responsibility to clearly document how they have been obtained.

I would suggest to write directly to Paul Dickman 
hoping that he replies (p < 1/1000000) and he 
reconsiders the opportunity to introduce again -adjust-

Best wishes.

Enzo

Enzo Coviello
Unit� di Epidemiologia e Statistica ASL BARI
Piazza V.  Emanuele 14
70054 Giovinazzo (Bari)
Italy
tel./fax +39 080 3357867
mobile +39 347 5016 016
home +39 0883 695055


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