Bayesian estimation of parameters for the bivariate Gompertz regression model with shared gamma frailty under random censoring

In this paper, we consider the shared gamma frailty model with Gompertz distribution as baseline hazard for bivariate survival times. The problem of analyzing and estimating parameters of bivariate Gompertz distribution with shared gamma frailty is of interest and the focus of this paper. We solve the inferential problem in a Bayesian framework with the help of a comprehensive simulation study. We introduce Bayesian estimation procedure using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique to estimate the parameters involved in the proposed model and then compare the true values of the parameters with the estimated values for different sample sizes. A search of the literature suggests there is currently no work that has been done for Bayesian estimation of parameters of bivariate Gompertz distribution with shared frailty. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.