Using classification tree analysis to generate propensity score weights.

Journal: Journal of evaluation in clinical practice
PMID:

Abstract

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: In evaluating non-randomized interventions, propensity scores (PS) estimate the probability of assignment to the treatment group given observed characteristics. Machine learning algorithms have been proposed as an alternative to conventional logistic regression for modelling PS in order to avoid limitations of linear methods. We introduce classification tree analysis (CTA) to generate PS which is a "decision-tree"-like classification model that provides accurate, parsimonious decision rules that are easy to display and interpret, reports P values derived via permutation tests, and evaluates cross-generalizability.

Authors

  • Ariel Linden
    Linden Consulting Group, LLC, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
  • Paul R Yarnold
    Optimal Data Analysis, LLC, Chicago, IL, USA.