Nonparametric estimation of cause-specific cross hazard ratio with bivariate competing risks data

We propose an alternative representation of the cause-specific cross hazard ratio for bivariate competing risks data. The representation leads to a simple plug-in estimator, unlike an existing ad hoc procedure. The large sample properties of the resulting inferences are established. Simulations and a real data example demonstrate that the proposed methodology may substantially reduce the computational burden of the existing procedure, while maintaining similar efficiency properties. Copyright 2008, Oxford University Press.