ECTRIMS 2021 | Propensity score matching to reduce confounding effects in observational studies

Maria Pia Sormani, PhD, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy, discusses propensity score matching as a statistical technique to minimize the effects of confounding when using observational data. Observational studies represent a powerful tool to assess the effectiveness of a drug in real-world MS populations, tackling the common lack of external validity in randomized, controlled trials. However, the lack of randomization in observational studies is a key problem, with treatment selection often influenced by subject characteristics. Dr Sormani comments of how propensity matching can help to balance differences between groups in observational studies. This interview took place at the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) congress 2021.