Reducing bias in cancer research: application of propensity score matching.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

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.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Reeve, BB; Smith, AW; Arora, NK; Hays, RD

Published Date

  • 2008

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 29 / 4

Start / End Page

  • 69 - 80

PubMed ID

  • 18773615

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC4195028

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0195-8631

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States