ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the results of different methods for managing multivariate missing data. Methods: Case deletion, simple imputation and multiple imputation were compared when used for analyzing the clinical data of 925 liver cancer patients with medium multivariate missing data. Results: There were differences among the 3 methods. When ?=0.05, the risk factors influencing patients' survival time were clinical staging,history of hepatic cirrhosis, portal vein tumor thrombas, and levels of g-GT and WBC with multiple imputation, and were TNM staging, lipiodol dose, AST and ALP with case deletion. The 3 more factors of simple imputation were TNM staging, ALP and AFP compared with multiple imputation. Conclusion: Simple imputation is superior to case deletion in management of multivariate missing data but tends to make standard error smaller and P value lower. Multiple imputation is more reasonable and scientific than the other 2 methods.