Can propensity score matching replace randomized controlled trials?

Figure 1 Flowchart overviewing the steps. A: Flowchart overviewing the steps taken in a randomized controlled trial, randomization of allocation and blinding is key to reduce bias in randomized controlled trials; B: Flowchart overviewing the steps taken in a propensity score matching study, propensity score matching creates a matched sample of patients who received or did not receive the intervention based on their propensity scores, which takes into account the patients’ baseline characteristics.