define_multistate: Define Multistate Structure

In RFmstate: Random Forest-Based Multistate Survival Analysis

Define Multistate Structure

Description

Defines the state space, absorbing states, and allowed transitions for a multistate model.

Usage

define_multistate(state_names, absorbing, transitions)

Arguments

state_names	Character vector of state names.
absorbing	Character vector of absorbing state names (must be a subset of state_names).
transitions	A named list where each element name is an origin state and the value is a character vector of destination states reachable from that origin. Absorbing states should not appear as list names.

Value

An object of class "mstate_structure" containing:

state_names

Character vector of all state names.

n_states

Integer, number of states.

absorbing

Character vector of absorbing states.

transient

Character vector of transient (non-absorbing) states.

transitions

Named list of allowed transitions.

trans_matrix

Integer matrix where entry [i,j] is the transition number for allowed transition i->j, or NA if not allowed.

n_transitions

Total number of allowed transitions.

trans_list

Data frame listing all transitions with columns trans_id, from, to.

initial_state

The unique graph root used as the common initial state.

topological_order

State order used by the semi-Markov solver.

Limitations

Only directed acyclic, non-recurrent structures with exactly one root and at least one absorbing state are supported. Every transient state must be reachable from the root and must have a directed path to absorption. Cycles, self-transitions, recurrent visits, disconnected states, and multiple subject-specific initial states are rejected.

Examples

ms <- define_multistate(
  state_names = c("Baseline", "Responded", "Progressed", "Death"),
  absorbing = "Death",
  transitions = list(
    Baseline = c("Responded", "Progressed", "Death"),
    Responded = c("Progressed", "Death"),
    Progressed = c("Death")
  )
)
print(ms)

RFmstate documentation built on Sept. 10, 2026, 1:09 a.m.