Table 5 Results of multivariate generalized estimating equation of factors associated with the change in emotional functioning after breast surgery (N = 120)

Age*

-0.38

-0.90;0.14

0.15

Marital status

Married

-11.09

-17.09;-5.08

< 0.0001

Education level

Secondary school or higher

-0.22

-9.64;9.01

0.96

Employment

No

0.92

-6.19;8.03

0.80

Nationality

Lebanese

0.77

-6.25;7.80

0.83

BMI*

-0.49

-1.15;0.16

0.13

Menopause

No

-0.77

-11.85;10.31

0.89

Comorbidities

No

1.62

-2.97;6.22

0.48

Family history of BC

No

1.93

-4.31;8.17

0.54

Stage

I

10.34

-19.82;0.85

0.63

Tumor size

T1

10.9

-0.23;11.65

0.54

Lymph node status

N0

-1.63

-7.18;3.91

0.56

Emotional functioning*

-0.04

-0.15; -0.60

< 0.0001

Body image score*

0.04

-0.08;0.18

0.48

Future perspective*

0.06

-0.04;0.16

0.27

General fatigue*

-0.16

-1.11;0.79

0.73

Physical fatigue*

0.32

-0.76;1.41

0.56

Reduced activity*

-0.62

-1.37;0.12

0.10

Reduced Motivation*

-1.01

-2.24;0.21

0.10

Mental fatigue*

0.18

-1.03;1.40

0.76

LOT global score *

0.38

-0.03;0.06

0.07