Quality assessment
Two independent reviewers conducted the methodological quality
assessment of each study according to the quality of genetic studies
(Q-Genie) tool which was developed by Sohani et al.22 in 2015 and subsequently validated. This tool
consists of 11 items scored on a 7-point Likert scale specifically
applicable to the quality assessment of published genetic association
studies [22, 23]. In studies without control
groups, scores ≤32 indicate poor quality studies, 33-40 indicate
moderate quality studies, and >40 indicate good quality
studies. For studies with control groups, scores for the parameters
listed above are ≤35, 36-45, and >45, respectively[22].