Memorial Göztepe Hospital
Memorial Göztepe Hospital
Turkey, Istanbul
Dr. Zulfikar Polat is a professor of gastroenterology at Istanbul Aydın University. He previously practiced at Anadolu Medical Center, an affiliate of Johns Hopkins Medicine. Dr. Polat focuses on hepato-pancreatology and inflammatory intestinal diseases. He serves as an expert in both diagnostic and interventional endoscopic procedures.
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Doğan is a gastroenterologist. He earned his MD from Ankara University Faculty of Medicine in 1991. He became an Internal Medicine specialist at Gazi University in 1996. He completed gastroenterology subspecialty training at İnönü University in 2001.
His academic career was at Gazi University. He served as Lecturer (2002), Assistant Professor (2003), Associate Professor (2007), and Professor (2012). He worked as a researcher at the University of California San Diego from 2004 to 2006. He has practiced at Koru Hospital since January 2023.
Clinical focus includes gastroesophageal reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, gastroparesis, achalasia, bloating, gas and belching, fecal incontinence, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. He performs ERCP, stent placement, balloon and bougie dilation, polypectomy, argon plasma coagulation, double-balloon enteroscopy, and bleeding control.
Prof. Dr. Musa Aydınlı is an internal medicine specialist and gastroenterologist. He completed his MD at Hacettepe University in 1997. He finished internal medicine training in 2003 and gastroenterology training in 2007 at the same institution. He worked at Kayseri Training and Research Hospital from 2007 to 2009. He served in the Gastroenterology Department at Gaziantep University from 2009 to 2014. He became an associate professor in 2012 and a professor in 2020. He joined Gülhane Training and Research Hospital in 2022. He now practices at Private Koru Ankara Hospital.
Clinical focus: GERD; dyspepsia, gastritis, and Helicobacter pylori; peptic ulcer disease; celiac disease; IBS and IBD (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease); colon polyps; colorectal and upper GI cancers; liver disease (fatty liver, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, portal hypertension); hepatobiliary and pancreatic disorders and cancers. Procedures: EGD, rectosigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy; biopsy, polypectomy, and endoscopic mucosal resection; hemostasis and APC; dilation and stent placement; PEG; ERCP; EUS-guided biopsy.
Turkish hepatologists achieve complete biochemical and histological remission for autoimmune hepatitis through standard international protocols. The underlying condition has no permanent cure. However, specialists like Prof. Dr Zulfikar Polat at Anadolu Medical Center use immunosuppressants to stabilise liver function. Successful treatment prevents cirrhosis and maintains long-term health.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish gastroenterologists often hold dual professorships at top universities and international fellowships, such as Dr Ibrahim Dogan's research at the University of California. This high level of academic integration means patients access the same clinical trial protocols found in the US or Europe. Even so, they receive care at highly efficient, JCI-accredited facilities in Istanbul and Ankara.
Patient Consensus: Patients find that while the initial steroid phase can be intense, reaching normal lab results is achievable with strict adherence. Most people highlight the need for a solid follow-up plan for blood tests and fibroscans once they return to Australia.
Turkish clinics treat autoimmune hepatitis using international protocols. Specialists achieve remission through phased medication. Initial treatment uses corticosteroids to stop liver inflammation. Maintenance therapy then follows with steroid-sparing agents. Severe cases receive second-line immunosuppressants or specialist transplant evaluation.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish hepatology expertise is highly concentrated in academic centres. Prof. Dr Zulfikar Polat at Anadolu Medical Center holds memberships in both AASLD and EASL. This means patients receive treatment aligned with American and European standards. Some doctors also have research experience at institutions like the University of California. This international background is common among top-tier Turkish specialists.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that treatment in Turkey involves frequent blood tests and close monitoring. They emphasise the importance of following the tapering schedule carefully. Many found that adding vitamin D and calcium helped manage long-term medication effects. Direct communication with hepatologists makes managing dose adjustments much easier.
International patients choose Turkey for autoimmune hepatitis treatment. They seek specialists who belong to prestigious groups like the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Centres offer rapid diagnostic workups including FibroScan, CT imaging, and liver biopsies. Private hospitals provide immediate specialist consultations, bypassing long public waitlists.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows Turkey's strength lies in senior academic expertise. Specialists like Prof. Dr Musa Aydinli have over 25 years of experience. Clinics like Memorial Göztepe offer massive infrastructure. But the key is choosing a doctor with memberships in the European Association for the Study of the Liver. This means treatment follows global protocols. This expertise is vital for managing immunosuppression tapering. Tapering is the most critical phase of autoimmune hepatitis care.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasise finding a competent liver specialist they trust. They also stress the importance of long-term medication plans. They value centres in Turkey that offer clear monitoring and blood tests. This helps manage steroid side effects effectively.
Patients typically stay in Turkey for 7 to 14 days to initiate autoimmune hepatitis treatment. This timeframe allows for essential diagnostic workups, including liver biopsies and blood panels. Specialists like Prof. Dr Zulfikar Polat at Anadolu Medical Center monitor initial responses to immunosuppressive induction therapy.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish gastroenterologists often use multidisciplinary tumour boards for complex liver cases. This includes centres like Memorial Göztepe Hospital. The stay is short, but these specialists frequently have 20+ years of experience. They also trained at institutions like Johns Hopkins Medicine. This expertise helps stabilise liver enzymes faster. They often reach near-normal levels within 2 to 5 months of starting prednisone.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that the first year requires frequent blood tests every 2 weeks. They recommend staying in Turkey for at least 14 days. This gives time for doctors to get the steroid dose right before the long flight back home.