Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is considered to be common in the developed countries of Europe and in North America. A chronic nature of the disease, bowel and systemic symptoms debilitating daily functioning, coexisting extraintestinal complications, recurrent, not infrequently severe and unpredictable clinical course significantly lower patients' quality of life. When compared with the general population, IBD patients more oft en take use of health care services. They also experience more episodes of sick leave, which is associated with a greater number of sick leave days per year. Med Pr 2009;60(1):59-63