SA58. The First-Episode Psychosis Outcome Study: Preliminary Data on the Long-Term Follow-Up of First-Episode Psychosis Patients Who Were Treated at the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre Between 1998 and 2000

Abstract

Abstract 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 treated at the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) between 1998 and 2000. The aim of this presentation is 3-fold: (1) to describe the methodology of FEPOS long-term follow-up; (2) to present preliminary mortality data; and (3) examine the preliminary characteristics of those who have been contacted and interviewed. Methods: Between January 1998 and December 2000, 661 patients between the ages of 15 and 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 FEPOS. The long-term outcomes of this cohort are now being examined in a new study (known as FEPOS15). Results: Characteristics of 46 individuals who are deceased will be described. The clinical, functional, physical health, and quality-of-life characteristics of the first 100 individuals who have been contacted will also be discussed. Conclusion: This follow-up study is one of the longest, largest, and most comprehensive studies of the multidimensional outcomes of an SEI service for psychosis.