【Abstract】Objective To investigate the occurrence of skeletal muscle loss and its related risk factors in patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Methods A total of 180 MHD patients treated in our hospital from January 2016 to February 2018 were selected as the research objects. Their general data and physical indicators were recruited and investigated. The nutritional status was assessed by modified quantitative subjective assessment (MQSGA). The incidence of skeletal muscle loss and its related risk factors in MHD patients were then analyzed. Results Among the 180 MHD patients, 59 (32.78%) were diagnosed with skeletal muscle loss, and 121 were diagnosed without skeletal muscle loss (67.22%). There were statistically significant differences in gender, dialysis time, hs-CRP and nutritional status between the two groups (χ2=9.752, P=0.002; t= 5.515, P＜0.001; t=63.790, P<0.001; t=10.280, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gender (OR=2.221, 95% CI: 2.207～12.151, P=0.020), dialysis time (OR=2.191, 95% CI: 2.185～11.206, P=0.010), hs-CRP (OR=2.174, 95% CI: 1.235～12.130, P=0.031) and nutritional status (OR=3.205, 95% CI:1.105～11.207, P=0.015) were the independent risk factors for skeletal muscle loss in MHD patients. Conclusion The incidence of skeletal muscular loss was higher in MHD patients. Gender, dialysis time, hs-CRP and nutritional status were the independent risk factors for the loss in MHD patients. Therefore, treatments focused on these risk factors should be emphasized to prevent skeletal muscle loss in MHD patients.