SCD is a hereditary hemoglobinopathy characterized by recurrent microvascular vaso-occlusion and chronic hemolytic anemia resulting in progressive organ damage and reduced life expectancy [1, 2] . Given the chronic nature of SCD and the severity of its complications, patients are likely to have a significantly reduced QoL. Intuitively and historically, pain is widely regarded as the major factor in determining QoL in SCD. However, even though previous studies have indeed demonstrated a reduced QoL of sickle cell patients, this was often not or not only attributable to pain [2] . Factors such as anxiety, depression, and socioeconomic circumstances may also contribute to the reduced QoL of sickle cell patients [3] [4] [5] .