Reducing bias in cancer research: application of propensity score matching

Health Care Financ Rev. 2008 Summer;29(4):69-80.

Abstract

In cancer observational studies, differences between groups on confounding variables may have a significant effect on results when examining health outcomes. This study demonstrates the utility of propensity score matching to balance a non-cancer and cancer cohort of older adults on multiple relevant covariates. This approach matches cases to controls on a single indicator, the propensity score, rather than multiple variables. Results indicated that propensity score matching is an efficient and useful way to create a matched case-control study out of a large cohort study, and allows confidence in the strength of the observed outcomes of the study.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Chronic Disease / epidemiology*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Comorbidity
  • Cost of Illness
  • Database Management Systems
  • Epidemiologic Research Design*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Managed Care Programs / standards*
  • Medicare / standards*
  • Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Observation
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / methods*
  • Quality of Life*
  • SEER Program
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Survivors / statistics & numerical data*
  • United States / epidemiology