A great number of demographic, psychological, social, medical, rehabilitation-related, workplace-related and benefit-system-related factors are associated with return to work. The different types of risk factor are associated in many ways. People with greater chances of job return after vocational rehabilitation are younger, native, highly educated, have a steady job and high income, are married and have stable social networks, are self-confident, happy with life, not depressed, have low level of disease severity and no pain, high work seniority, long working history and an employer that cares and wishes them back to the work place. Unfortunately, people with the above profile are seldom found among the long-term sick.

Background The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is a conceptual framework and classification system by the World Health Organization (WHO) to understand functioning. The objective of this discussion paper is to offer a conceptual definition for vocational rehabilitation (VR) based on the ICF. Method We presented the ICF as a model for application in VR and the rationale for the integration of the ICF. We also briefly reviewed other work disability models. Results Five essential elements of foci were found towards a conceptual definition of VR: an engagement or re-engagement to work, along a work continuum, involved health conditions or events leading to work disability, patient-centered and evidence-based, and is multi-professional or multidisciplinary.Conclusions VR refers to a multi-professional approach that is provided to individuals of working age with health-related impairments, limitations, or restrictions with work functioning and whose primary aim is to optimize work participation. We propose that the ICF and VR interface be explored further using empirical and qualitative works and encouraging stakeholders' participation.

OBJECTIVE To assess the relationship of nocturia to somatic health, mental health and bodily pain. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A randomly selected group of men and women aged 20–64 years, living in three small municipalities in northern Sweden, or in the city of Östersund or in Stockholm, were sent a postal questionnaire containing questions on somatic and mental health, satisfaction with life, pain, nocturnal voiding, work and sick‐listing from work. RESULTS Reports (from 1948 respondents) on poor somatic and mental health and on pain all increased in parallel with increasing frequency of nocturnal voids. In a multiple logistic regression analysis with sex, age, somatic health, mental health and bodily pain as the independent variables, significant independent correlates (odds ratios, confidence intervals) of nocturnal micturition (two or more episodes vs none or one) were: age 45–59 vs 20–44 years, 1.9 (1.3–2.7), ≥60 vs 20–44 years, 3.8 (2.4–6.0); somatic health, poor vs good, 2.3 (1.4–3.7); mental health, poor vs good, 1.9 (1.2–3.0); pain, rather mild vs very mild or none, 1.5 (1.0–2.3); rather severe vs very mild or none, 1.9 (1.1–3.2); and very severe vs very mild or none, 6.0 (2.5–14.0). Gender was deleted by the logistic model. Sick‐listing for ≥ 60 days during the past year was reported by 4.9%, 10.6%, 5.6% and 38.9% of the men with none, one, two or ≥ three nocturnal voids, respectively, and by 10%, 12.4%, 23% and 46.7% (both P < 0.001) of the corresponding women, respectively. Life satisfaction decreased in parallel with increased nocturia. CONCLUSION The impairment of both somatic and mental health was associated with increased nocturnal voiding. Pain was associated with a substantial increase in nocturia after adjusting for age and somatic and mental health. Sick‐leave was more common in association with more nocturnal voids.