This is a special function used in the context of recurrent event models
with terminal event (e.g., censoring variable related to recurrent events).
It contains the status indicator, normally 0=alive, 1=dead, and is used on
the right hand side of a formula of a 'frailtyPenal', 'longiPenal' and
'trivPenal' functions. Using terminal()
in a formula implies that a
joint frailty model for recurrent events and terminal events is fitted.
terminal(x)
A numeric variable but should be a Boolean which equals 1 if the subject is dead and 0 if he is alive or censored, as a death indicator.
a death indicator