Examination of the treatment selection process in a multicenter observational study

Kevin J. Anstrom, J. Matthew Brennan, Eric L. Eisenstein, Jerome J. Federspiel, David Dai, Eric D. Peterson, Pamela S. Douglas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background-Many multicenter clinical trials use permuted-block randomization to create balanced treatment allocations within clinical centers. Unlike randomized trials, observational studies do not control treatment allocation, and statistical models are used to adjust for measured confounders. For many observational data analyses, the variability in the treatment selection process within clinical centers is ignored. Furthermore, there is no consensus on the best approach for dealing with variability in the treatment selection process across clinical centers. Methods and Results-Individuals aged ≥65 years receiving either drug-eluting stents or bare metal stents were included. A cohort of 262 700 patients from 650 CathPCI Registry sites was followed up for a median of 15 months. Propensity score models were estimated to describe the process used to select drug-eluting stents across the study population. Substantial variability in the use of drug-eluting stents at the clinical center level was observed-even after accounting for differences in patient and clinical center characteristics. By refitting and matching propensity scores within clinical centers, a balanced cohort on treatment allocation and prognostic factors was obtained. This approach generated an estimated hazard ratio that was qualitatively similar to standard regression models and other propensity score approaches. Conclusions-Substantial variability in treatment selection existed between clinical centers. Matching recalibrated propensity scores within clinical centers has the potential to reduce a source of bias in multicenter observational studies. This methodology cannot eliminate all potential for biases; however, it removes the potential bias from site-level factors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)764-769
Number of pages6
JournalCirculation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes
Volume7
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Comparative effectiveness research
  • Propensity score
  • Selection for treatment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Examination of the treatment selection process in a multicenter observational study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this