To identify novel associated loci, we selected 12 variants with P < 1 × 10−5 that mapped outside the 21 HR loci reported in the previous GWAS (12) for follow-up in an independent dataset. Within each unknown locus, there were no potential secondary SNVs not in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with the lead SNV (r2 < 0.2) and meeting our look-up significance threshold (P < 1 × 10−5). Hence only 12 new lead SNVs were carried forward. We also followed-up 12 potential secondary signals at 9 of the 21 previously reported HR loci (further details on selection criteria are provided in the Materials and Methods) (12). None of the selected variants was in LD (r2 < 0.2) with each other, or with the published SNVs. Thus, a total of 24 variants were taken forward into replication. The UK Biobank dataset provided results for the selected genetic variants (N = 134 251 individuals).
