Cross-cultural differences in gastrointestinal symptoms and sensory response in individuals with autism: A comparison of Spain and Colombia.

Purpose. Between 40 and 70% of the population with autism have been found to suffer from functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). The emergence of FGIDs is related with lower quality of life, and greater medical resources, somatization and emotional instability. There is a paucity of research available that examines gastrointestinal symptoms and sensory responses in individuals with autism in different countries and cultures. Methods. The present study analyses differences in gastrointestinal symptoms and sensory response between individuals with autism from Spain (n=65; mean age = 8.91, SD = 4.02) and Colombia (n=62; mean age = 10.16, SD = 5.31). Results. No differences were found as a function of age, sex and autism severity between Spanish and Colombian participants. More severe functional nausea and vomiting was reported by the Colombian sample when compared with the Spanish sample. Similarly, greater sensory reactivity emerged in Colombian individuals with autism relative to Spanish individuals with autism. Conclusions. Identified differences may suggest that the impact of nutritional and epigenetic factors is dependent on the cultural context. Present findings are of huge relevance to the application of treatments in different cultures based on probiotics, prebiotics and nutrition.