Intermittently-observed data

[luck999]

The dataset with years 2011, 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2020 - where some IDs only have data for 2011 and 2020, some have 2011 and 2015, while others have all five years. Can this type of data be analyzed with msm?

[chjackson]

Yes. Though the IDs with only one observation will not contribute any information about transition rates.

[luck999]

The dataset with years 2011, 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2020. Can msm handle IDs with only 2011 and 2018 data (long intervals), or should I exclude them? Because the intervals are different.

[chjackson]

Unequal observation intervals are fine. msm uses continuous-time models.

[luck999]

Thank you for your prompt response!