Psychological Therapies: The Missing Link in Improving Treatment Adherence in Patients with β-thalassemia Major

β-Thalassemia Major (β-TM) is the most commonly inherited hemolytic anemia. Patients with β-TM require lifelong adherence to distressing treatment regimen, including regular blood transfusions, daily chelation therapy and frequent medical supervision.1Similar to other chronic diseases requiring long-life treatment, adherence to treatment is a major concern for β-TM patients.2 It has been revealed that poor adherence to therapeutic regimen in β-TM patients is associated with an increased risk of complications, unnecessary health cost, and mortality and morbidity rates. Despite the clinical importance of adherence to treatment in patients with β-TM, poor adherence remains a prevalent and persistent problem in these patients.2,3Also, to date, cost-effective interventions to improve adherence to therapeutic regimens in β-TM patients are yet unavailable.