Asst. Prof. Mehmet Karaarslan, MD

Asst. Prof. Mehmet Karaarslan, MD is an Internal Medicine specialist who practices in the Internal Medicine unit at Acibadem Bakirkoy Hospital and Acibadem Altunizade Hospital in İstanbul. His clinical work centers on rheumatic and autoimmune conditions, including familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), Behçet’s disease, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), vasculitis, ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis, together with the long-term follow-up of chronic diseases. He has more than 43 years in medicine.

Dr. Karaarslan studied at İstanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine from 1983 to 1989. After a period at the Zonguldak Directorate of Health Affairs (1989–1990), he trained as an Internal Medicine Resident at the Şişli Etfal Training and Research Hospital Internal Medicine Clinic between 1990 and 1995, completing his Internal Medicine training there in 1994. From 1998 to 2000 he was a Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Fellow at the University of Vermont, where he also served as a Clinical Instructor in 2000. He completed Rheumatology education at İstanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in 2001 and has worked with Acıbadem Healthcare Services since 2005. He is a member of the American College of Rheumatology and the Turkish Medical Association, and he has co-authored publications including Pancreatic cancer and glucose metabolism (Turk J Gastroenterol, 2009) and Is repeat endoscopy a rational approach in patients with gastric ulcer? (2010).

Clinical focus

Dr. Karaarslan sees patients with inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases. His areas of expertise include rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, vasculitis and systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). He also assesses patients with Behçet’s disease and familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), conditions that may require careful evaluation of recurrent symptoms over time.

Because many rheumatic and autoimmune diseases are chronic, his practice includes ongoing follow-up of patients with long-term conditions. An assessment typically takes into account the patient’s overall internal medicine picture as well as the specific rheumatic diagnosis, since these disorders can involve several organ systems and may coexist with other chronic diseases.

How Dr. Karaarslan works with international patients

Dr. Karaarslan consults in Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for patients who speak other languages. Before a visit, the international patient team coordinates the collection of prior medical reports and imaging, arranges appointments and organizes the hospital visit. A first consultation typically covers the patient’s history and symptoms, a review of existing imaging, laboratory results and previous treatments, a clinical examination and a discussion of the options that may be appropriate. Video consultation is available for international patients who wish to discuss their situation or review findings before or after traveling to İstanbul.