Do observational studies using propensity score methods agree with randomized trials? A systematic comparison of studies on acute coronary syndromes.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for assessing the efficacy of therapeutic interventions because randomization protects from biases inherent in observational studies. Propensity score (PS) methods, proposed as a potential solution to confounding of the treatment-outcome association, are widely used in observational studies of therapeutic interventions for acute coronary syndromes (ACS). We aimed to systematically assess agreement between observational studies using PS methods and RCTs on therapeutic interventions for ACS.

Methods and results

We searched for observational studies of interventions for ACS that used PS methods to estimate treatment effects on short- or long-term mortality. Using a standardized algorithm, we matched observational st

SUBMITTER: Dahabreh IJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3409422 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature