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Background Specialist early intervention (SEI) service models are designed to treat symptoms, promote social and vocational recovery, prevent relapse, and resource and up skill patients and their families. While the immediate benefits of SEI are clear, and have been demonstrated, the long-term impact of SEI on illness course is less clear. The First Episode Outcome Study involves the long-term follow-up of a representative sample of first episode psychosis patients who were first treated at the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) between 1998 and 2000. In this presentation the preliminary data on physical health outcomes are reported. Methods Between January 1998 and December 2000, 661 patients between the ages of 15–29 years were treated at the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre, Melbourne Australia. The 18-month treatment characteristics of this cohort have been extensively examined in the First Episode Psychosis Outcome Study (FEPOS). The long-term outcomes of this cohort are now being examined in a new study (known as FEPOS15). Results The rates of self-report physical health problems in 100 participants 15 years after being treated for a first episode psychosis were significant for high cholesterol (41%), asthma (33.7%), chronic pain (25.3%), allergies (19.3%), respiratory problems (16.9%) anemia (12.2%), arthritis (12.0%), hepatitis C (10.8%) and diabetes (6.3%). Cardiovascular problems were also noted including heart attack (2.4%), other heart problems (8.4%), and stroke (3.6%). Sexual health problems are explored. Physical health findings pertaining to Coroners' findings on those who had died will be also used to describe the long-term impacts of psychotic disorder. Discussion This follow-up study is one of the longest, largest and most comprehensive studies of the multidimensional outcomes of a SEI service for psychosis. The physical health outcomes of individuals 15-years after the first episode psychosis are poor. The importance of monitoring and managing physical health problems in those with psychotic disorder is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]