Propensity Score and Survival Analysis for Lung Cancer

Abstract

Propensity scores were used to assess covariate balance between black and white groups in each lung cancer stage of a large data set. Pairwise log rank tests were used to test the equality of survival distribution for treatment and race groups. Cox regression models were used to estimate the hazard ratios for each treatment in all stages. In stage one, radiation and surgery was found the best treatment. In stage two, treatment chemotherapy was found as the best option. Radiation and chemo were found to be the best treatment combinations in stage three. Based on hazard ratios, the treatment chemo was the best for stage four. Statistically significant differences in survival curves were found between different gender and race combinations in stages one and three, but not in stages two or four.