"More than 15 per cent of the adult population of the country, aged between 20 and 79, are affected," said diabetes consultant Faisal Al Mahrous.

"By 2025, the number of people affected with diabetes worldwide is expected to be 390 million and in Bahrain, this would increase cases among the population to more than 17pc (of the adult population)."

Dr Al Mahrous, who was speaking at a forum on men's health at the Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel, Residence and Spa, said more than 246m people worldwide are diabetic.

The forum, chaired by Dr Al Mahrous, was aimed at raising awareness on important health problems faced by men, including diabetes and its correlation with erectile dysfunction (ED).

Dr Al Mahrous, a professor at the Arabian Gulf University, underlined the need to raise more awareness about diabetes diagnosis and control, as well as ways of returning those who are affected by ED to a normal and controlled life.

"Men are particularly at risk of developing diabetes," he said.

"In fact, they are almost one-and-a-half times as likely as women to be affected by the disease.

"While it can be easily diagnosed through regular medical check-ups, many do not consult a doctor until complications set in, including blindness, kidney failure, heart diseases, stroke, and even ED."

He said ED affects more than 50pc of men who have diabetes, but only 10 pc of them seek clinical advice.

"This is either because they think it's a normal process of ageing or because they think that there is no medication for their condition."

He said hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and high levels of stress all contribute to having ED.

"Diabetes and its side effects can be treated, but at first, patients need to recognise that they might have a problem," said Dr Al Mahrous.

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