a p-value of 3.75×10−5 in the Dubois et al. [7] study and was the most significantly associated SNP in the region in that study. Figure 1 shows the results for all 17 SNPs across the LD block that were analyzed in the current study and by Dubois et al. [7]. The greater statistical significance reported by Dubois et al. [7] is a reflection of the larger sample size. The Pearson correlation between the log-transformed p-values of the two studies is 0.85 (p-value = 1.33×10−5). Under a null hypothesis of no association and independence of the two samples, the very high correlation between the results of the two studies is highly improbable. Furthermore, the odds ratio estimates from the current and the Dubois et al. [7] GWAS were consistent across the SNPs showing association. The LD block lies completely within the FRMD4B gene. FRMD4B is ubiquitously expressed and its product is believed to be involved in the establishment of epithelial cell polarity, and may also function as a scaffolding protein.
