Propensity score methods in survival analysis

Rossella Miglio – Department of Statistical Sciences, Bologna University

Propensity score methods will be considered in the analysis of data derived from studies in which random assignment is not used or is compromised.

Commonly used propensity-score methods include covariate adjustment using the propensity score, stratification on the propensity score, and propensity- score matching. Theoretical and empirical research has shown that matching on the propensity score eliminates a greater proportion of baseline differences  than does stratification on the propensity score. However, the analysis of propensity-score-matched samples requires statistical methods appropriate for matched-pairs data. We will consider different matching algorithms and some tests to assess the quality of the matching. Case studies are used throughout to illustrate application of PS in survival analysys.