Analysis of pharmacokinetic data using parametric models—1: Regression models

This is the first in a series of tutorial articles discussing the analysis of pharmacokinetic data using parametric models. In this article, the purposes of modelling are discussed; regression models for individuals and populations are defined; and structural and variance models are discussed as the two required submodels of the overall regression model. Topics of future articles are: point estimates of parameters; interval estimates of parameters; model criticism and choosing among contending models; population kinetic models and estimation; and elements of optimal design.Work supported in part by NIH Grant GM 26676, and GM 26691.