Meta-analyses with additional 37,505 European individuals reveals six more genome-wide loci, including associations at MPHOSPH6, NKX2-3 and TYMS. We demonstrate that longer LTL associates with protection against respiratory disease mortality [HR = 0.854(0.804–0.906), P = 1.88 × 10−7] in the Singaporean Chinese samples. This evidence concerns the gene NKX2-3 and respiratory system disorder.