Aims
The MYNAH Registry aims to understand the natural history of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM) in the Australian population and identify novel blood-based biomarkers using a proteomics approach.
Methods
The MYelopathy NAtural History (MYNAH) Registry and Biobank (ACSQHC-ARCR-258) was established in December 2022. It is an opt-in, observational, non-interventional, prospective, multi-site national registry. Patients are recruited from 13 study sites nationally. Outcome variables are mJOA score, Nurick Grade, NDI, EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS. A hypothesis-generating relative quantification of proteins in the human plasma samples was conducted using Liquid Chromatography and Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
Results
Seventy-four patients have been recruited in the registry, with 5 patients reporting a positive family history of DCM. Only 38% of patients had a surgical status (+) at the time of recruitment. A panel of blood biomarkers specific to DCM has been established.
Conclusion
The MYNAH Registry represents a novel framework for decoding DCM at both the population and molecular levels to improve patient care and outcomes. Expansion of the registry is currently underway with additional study sites being incorporated to enhance the generalisability of our findings. Ongoing biomarker validation is expected to provide further insights into the underlying pathways of DCM.