Separate regression modelling of the Gaussian and Exponential components of an EMG response from respiratory physiology.

Abstract

If Y1 \sim N(\mu ;\sigma^2) and Y2 \sim Exp(\nu), with Y1 independent of Y2, then their sum Y = Y1 +Y2 follows an Exponentially Modified Gaussian (EMG) distribution. In many applications it is of interest to model the two components separately, in order to investigate their (possibly) different important predictors. We show how this can be done through a GAMLSS with EMG response, and apply this separate regression modelling strategy to a dataset on lung function variables from the SAPALDIA cohort study.