Prof. Müfit Zeki Karagülle
Prof. Müfit Zeki Karagülle
Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Ecology and Hydroclimatology
Turkish Society of Balneology and Thermal Medicine
Physician and academic with more than forty years of experience in medical hydroclimatology and balneology. Research and clinical work cover natural mineral waters, peloids and H₂S exposures, with focus on clinical outcomes, exposure dose, safety and facility standards.
Academic and international roles: Professor since 1995; Department Chair and Director 1999–2020; President of the Turkish Society of Balneology and Thermal Medicine since 2002; President of ISMH (2008–2016); Founder and President of the H₂S in Balneology Global Initiative (2024–).
Fields: Clinical balneotherapy and peloidotherapy in rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease; H₂S biology and sulphurous waters; spring-water chemistry, exposure routes, clinical suitability and safety; evidence synthesis and protocol development. Current focus includes H₂S exposure and redox signalling in balneology and the Karagülle Medical Balneological Assessment Model (KTBDM).
Selected publications: Karagülle MZ, Karagülle M. Effectiveness of balneotherapy and spa therapy for chronic low back pain. Clinical Rheumatology 2015. · Karagülle M, Kardeş S, Karagülle MZ. Real-life effectiveness of spa therapy in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Int J Biometeorol 2017.