Objective To explore the variation of the plasma high-sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and analyze the relationship between inflammation and malnutrition in the patients with stage V chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods Ninety patients with stage V CKD were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups according to their treatment, no dialysis (ND) group, hemodialysis (MHD) group and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) group. Plasma hs-CRP, albumin and hemoglobin were detected. Results The levels of plasma hs-CRP were significantly increased in the patients with stage V CKD compared with normal individuals (P< 0.01). It showed a significant difference between MHD group, CAPD group and ND group (P < 0.05), while no significant difference was found between MHD group and CAPD group. The plasma hs-CRP levels increased in the patients with lower plasma albumin (< 35 g/L) or lower hemoglobin (< 90 g/L). Levels of plasma hs-CRP showed a negative relationship with plasma albumin and hemoglobin (r =- 0.535, P < 0.01 ;r =-0.220, P < 0.05). Conclusions Plasma hs-CRP levels increase in patients with stage V CKD, and there is a negative relationship between hs-CRP and plasma albumin and hemoglobin. Inflammation may be a factor of malnutrition in patients with CKD.