Introduction

Multi-state models are routinely used in research where change of status over

time is of interest. In epidemiology and medical statistics, for example, the

models are used to describe health-related processes over time, where status

is defined by a disease or a condition. In social statistics and in demography,

the models are used to study processes such as region of residence, work

history, or marital status. A multi-state model that includes a dead state is

called a multi-state survival model.