Objective To evaluate the effect of residual renal function(RRF)on hemodialysis patients. Methods One hundred and three hemodialysis patients were classified into two groups: with RRF, urine volume> 200ml/24h; without RRF, urine volume <200ml/24h. The impact of RRF on nutritional status and mortality rate were examined over a 1-year period. Results The serum albumin and pre-albumin and transferrin were higher in patients with RRF than those without RRF. During that period, the death rate was 8.6% in patients with RRF and 31.1% in patients without RRF ( P<0.05). Upon Cox proportional hazard analysis, RRF was a significant independent predictor of mortality. Conclusions RRF had a beneficial effect on nutritional parameters. Even at a low level RRF, is associated with a lower mortality risk in hemodialysis patients.