Statistical Analysis
Data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical package (version 17.0) and
PLINK v1.07 software. Continuous variables underwent Student’s t-test
analysis and are articulated as mean ± SD. Pearson’s χ test evaluated
categorical data, whereas Fisher’s exact test was reserved for instances
of expected low cell frequencies. Genotype distributions were compared
using Fisher’s exact test (χ2 test). The strength of
genetic variant associations with primary outcomes was represented
through ORs and 95% CIs, assessed via unconditional logistic
regression. Haploview 4.1 software (Daly Lab, USA) was employed to
define LD patterns and haplotype structures, with significance
determined through the χ2 test. A P-value below 0.05
was earmarked as statistically significant.