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Quantifying the Value of Biomarkers for Predicting Mortality

Author(s): Goldman, Noreen; Glei, Dana A.

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Abstract: Purpose—In light of widespread interest in the prognostic value of biomarkers, we apply three discrimination measures to evaluate the incremental value of biomarkers –beyond self-reported measures – for predicting all-cause mortality. We assess whether all three measures –AUC, NRI(>0), and IDI – lead to the same conclusions. Methods—We use longitudinal data from a nationally representative sample of older Taiwanese (n = 639, aged 54+ in 2000, examined in 2000 and 2006, with mortality follow-up through 2011). We estimate age-specific mortality using a Gompertz hazard model. Results—The broad conclusions are consistent across the three discrimination measures and support the inclusion of biomarkers, particularly inflammatory markers, in household surveys. Although the rank ordering of individual biomarkers varies across discrimination measures, the following is true for all three: interleukin-6 is the strongest predictor, the other three inflammatory markers make the top 10, and homocysteine ranks second or third. Conclusions—The consistency of most of our findings across metrics should provide comfort to researchers using discrimination measures to evaluate the prognostic value of biomarkers. However, because the degree of consistency varies with the level of detail inherent in the research question, we recommend that researchers confirm results with multiple discrimination measures.
Publication Date: Dec-2015
Citation: Goldman, Noreen, Glei, Dana A. (2015). Quantifying the value of biomarkers for predicting mortality. Annals of Epidemiology, 25 (12), 901 - 906.e4. doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2015.08.008
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2015.08.008
ISSN: 1047-2797
Pages: 901 - 906.e4
Type of Material: Journal Article
Journal/Proceeding Title: Annals of Epidemiology
Version: Author's manuscript



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