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.