Statistical Analysis:
The chi square test was used to compare categorical baseline
characteristics, and unpaired t-tests for continuous data. Cox
proportional hazards analysis was used to assess the effects of
colchicine on AF recurrence. Logistic regression was used to evaluate
the effects of different procedural approaches and predictors of
outcomes. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically
significant. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed for clinical
predictors that have been previously reported to influence AF ablation
outcomes (sex, age, body mass index (BMI), atrial fibrillation type
(paroxysmal/persistent), hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and
diabetes).8,9,10 Logistic regression was used to
estimate the propensity score. Matching was 1:1 nearest neighbor
matching without replacement. Balance in the matched sets was examined
using visual inspection and change in the mean and absolute standardized
mean difference. After matching, all standardized mean differences for
the covariates were below 0.1 indicating adequate balance. To estimate
the treatment effect and its standard error, we fit a cox proportional
regression model with AF recurrence as the outcome and colchicine as the
treatment, and covariates and included the matching weights in the
estimation. We used Package “matchit” to perform propensity score
matching. All analyses were performed using R Statistical Software (R
version 4.2.1, GNU project).