Semiparametric regression for the mean and rate functions of recurrent events

The counting process with the Cox-type intensity function has been commonly used to analyse recurrent event data. This model essentially assumes that the underlying counting process is a time-transformed Poisson process and t hat the covariates have multiplicative effects on the mean and rate functio ns of the counting process. Recently, Pepe and Cai, and Lawless and coworke rs have proposed semiparametric procedures for making inferences about the mean and rate functions of the counting process without the Poisson-type as sumption. In this paper, we provide a rigorous justification of such robust procedures through modern empirical process theory. Furthermore, we presen t an approach to constructing simultaneous confidence bands for the mean fu nction and describe a class of graphical and numerical techniques for check ing the adequacy of the fitted mean and rate models. The advantages of the robust procedures are demonstrated through simulation studies. An illustrat ion with multiple-infection data taken from a clinical study on chronic gra nulomatous disease is also provided.