The Use of Propensity Score Methods with Survival or Time-to-Event Outcomes

• Activity Number: 69
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Sunday, August 4, 2013 : 4:00 PM to 5:50 PM
• Sponsor: Biopharmaceutical Section
• Author(s): Peter Austin*+
• Companies: ICES
• Keywords: Propensity score ; Monte Carlo simulations ; Survival analysis ; Observational studies

Abstract

We examine the ability of four different propensity score methods (propensity-score matching, stratification on the propensity score, inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) using the propensity score, and covariate adjustment using the propensity score) to estimate the effect of treatment on survival outcomes. We focus on estimation of both relative and absolute measures of effect: hazard ratios and the absolute change in the probability of the occurrence of an event within a specified duration of follow-up. We recommend that propensity-score matching and IPTW using the propensity score be used as these allow for estimation of marginal effects that can be estimated in randomized controlled trials.