Angela M. Donaldson, M.D.

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SUMMARY

Angela M. Donaldson, M.D., studies inflammatory diseases of the nose and sinuses. She has a particular interest in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) and difficult-to-treat chronic sinusitis. She is also focused on comparing patient-reported symptom outcomes from different medication therapies used to treat patients with complex sinusitis.

Dr. Donaldson is trained in anterior skull base surgery and is interested in the sense of smell (olfaction) in patients undergoing skull base surgery. Her goal is to identify if changes in olfaction before or after surgery are associated with changes in cognition.

Focus areas

• Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD). AERD is associated with asthma, chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps and aspirin intolerance. However, decision-making guidance on which treatment to offer and when patients may wean off therapy is scarce. Dr. Donaldson collaborates on several projects aimed at identifying biomarkers to help predict timing of deescalation of medical therapy and at developing screening questions to assess or diagnose AERD.
• Chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps. Patients with this condition have a high risk of treatment-resistant disease. Determining the best treatment approaches to reduce the frequency of sinonasal mucosal inflammation flares is challenging. Dr. Donaldson studies the impact of infection and inflammation seen on endoscopic exams after surgery and the risk of subsequent sinus flares.
• Olfaction. The sense of smell is associated with quality of life and — in some cases — patient safety. Dr. Donaldson investigates the impact surgery has on olfaction, such as loss of the sense of smell or resolution of such loss, as well as the impact of these changes on cognition.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Donaldson's research focuses on better understanding the impact of medical therapy and optimal timing of therapy. Her goal is to provide evidence to support individualized care for each patient with sinonasal inflammatory disease. Dr. Donaldson's research will provide more accurate algorithms for identification and treatment of disease.

Professional highlights

• Vice chair of research, Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, 2022-present