Limitations
This study was performed at a single academic medical center, which may
limit its generalizability. Colchicine was used according to physician
preference, so unrecognized confounders may be present even after PSM
matching. Data were ascertained by retrospective chart review, which may
affect the completeness and accuracy of the data. We could not assess
medication side effects or discontinuation rates due to inconsistent
reporting of these data. Variable methods were used to detect AF
recurrence, which could introduce detection bias for the primary
outcome. There was limited statistical power to analyze subgroups, so
the differential results in paroxysmal and persistent AF patients should
be viewed as hypothesis generating.