Marginal correlation from an extended random-effects model for repeated and overdispersed counts

Vangeneugden <italic>et al.</italic> [15] derived approximate correlation functions for longitudinal sequences of general data type, Gaussian and non-Gaussian, based on generalized linear mixed-effects models (GLMM). Their focus was on binary sequences, as well as on a combination of binary and Gaussian sequences. Here, we focus on the specific case of repeated count data, important in two respects. First, we employ the model proposed by Molenberghs <italic>et al.</italic> [13], which generalizes at the same time the Poisson-normal GLMM and the conventional overdispersion models, in particular the negative-binomial model. The model flexibly accommodates data hierarchies, intra-sequence correlation, and overdispersion. Second, means, variances, and joint probabilities can be expressed in closed form, allowing for exact intra-sequence correlation expressions. Next to the general situation, some important special cases such as exchangeable clustered outcomes are considered, producing insightful expressions. The closed-form expressions are contrasted with the generic approximate expressions of Vangeneugden <italic>et al.</italic> [15]. Data from an epileptic-seizures trial are analyzed and correlation functions derived. It is shown that the proposed extension strongly outperforms the classical GLMM.