Objective To discuss the effect of residual renal function on prognosis of maintenance dialysis in patients with end-stage renal disease ( ESRD) .Methods 90 cases of patients of maintenance hemodialysis were selected and divided into group A and group B based on different eGFR levels at the beginning of dialysis, 51 cases in group A of eGFR≤5 mL/( min· 1.73 m2 ) , while 39 cases in group B of eGFR>5 mL/( min· 1.73 m2 ).The renal function of two groups were observed,all patients underwent a five-year clinical follow-up and mortality rates, hemoglobin (Hb), serum albumin ( Alb) , C reactive protein ( CRP) of patients in both groups were observed.Results The renal function of urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, blood uric acid, urinary protein and urine creatinine in group B before dialysis was better than those in group A (all P<0.05).The Hb and Alb levels of group A were significantly lower than those of group B, while the CRP levels was significantly higher than that of group B (all P<0.05).The mortality rate of group A was 43.14%,compared with 20.51% of group B,and there was no significant difference.The two main reasons of death was cardiovascular and pulmonary infection, accounted for 50.00% and 33.33%, respectively.Conclusion Residual renal function of patients with ESRD before dialysis has important clinical significance for prognosis judgment.When eGFR level is lower before dialysis, the mortality rate of patients is higher in five years, prone to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, with poor nutritional status, which is more vulnerable to infection.