07/05/2026
๐๐ โWe canโt compare apples to oranges. Or May be we can!!!"
Propensity Score Matching (PSM)
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โ ๏ธ **The core problem: Selection Bias**
In real-world studies, treatment groups are often different *before treatment even starts.*
Example:
๐ New treatment group โ younger, lower-risk patients
๐ฅ Standard treatment group โ older, sicker patients
So if outcomes differ laterโฆ
โ it may NOT be because of the treatment itself.
This is the classic:
๐ **Apples vs Oranges problem**
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๐ฏ **What PSM tries to do**
PSM creates *fairer comparisons* by matching patients with similar baseline characteristics.
Think of it as:
๐งโโ๏ธ Matching each treated patient
with
๐งโโ๏ธ a similar control patient
based on:
โ age
โ s*x
โ comorbidities
โ disease severity
โ other baseline variables
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๐ **The 4-step idea behind PSM**
1๏ธโฃ Collect baseline characteristics
2๏ธโฃ Calculate a โpropensity scoreโ
โ probability of receiving the treatment
3๏ธโฃ Match patients with similar scores
4๏ธโฃ Compare balanced groups
โ๏ธ After matching, groups become more comparable โ less biased analysis
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๐ก Important insight:
PSM does **NOT** create perfect randomization.
It only balances:
โ measured variables
But:
โ hidden or unmeasured confounders may still exist
Thatโs why:
๐งช RCTs remain the gold standard
๐ But PSM greatly improves observational studies
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๐ Bottom line:
Without adjustment:
๐ โ ๐
With proper matching:
๐ ๐ค ๐
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To learn more about observational studies and PSM, join our upcoming course
๐ https://wa.me/201119678899?text=I%20want%20to%20join%20the%20observationa%20studies%20course