We conducted the meta-analysis using Fisher’s combining p value method (Fisher 1932) in order to combine the results from the discovery and replication samples. Considering that the PBAT approach used in the replication study provides only score statistics with effect directions and p values, we used an equal weight for both studied samples. Prior to conducting meta-analysis, we compared the risk allele of each SNP individually in the two samples and found that all SNPs selected for replication have the same risk allele for the discovery and replication samples. Any variant with discordant direction of effect was not considered as having been replicated.
