Objective To investigate the risk factors which might affect the life quality and life span of elderly end stage renal disease(ESRD) hemodialysis patients due to diabetes mellitus(DM). Methods Twenty-three cases of ESRD hemo-dialysis patients of elderly DN were analysed retrospectively for causes of death, mortality rate, complications, nutritional status and blood biochemical test. Fifty-eight cases of ESRD hemodialysis patients of non- DN with the same age at the same period were taken as control. Results The vitality rates for 1 year and 3years of group DN were 84.0% and 36.0% respectively. Cardiovascular abnormality was the major complication occupying 92.0%. Threre was statistical significance comparing to group non_DN. The nutritional status were poor in both groups, but the serum albumin level of group DN was lower than that of group non_DN. Conclusions The mortality rate of elderly ESDN hemodialysis patients is higher than that of non_DN group. More complications were observed in DN group. Preventive treatment of complications is key to enhance life quality and life span.