【Abstract】Objective To analyze the correlation of self-perceived burden with self-care ability and quality of life in elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods Clinical data of 385 elderly patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) admitted in our hospital from February 2021 to February 2023 were collected. Self-perceived burden scale (SPBS), exercise of self-care agency scale (ESCA), and kidney disease quality of life short form version 1.3 (KDQOL-SFTM1.3) were used to evaluate the self-perceived burden, self-care ability and quality of life of the patients, respectively. According to SPBS score, they were divided into severe burden group and non-severe burden group (no obvious burden to moderate burden). SPSS statistics 24.0 was used for statistical analysis. Data comparison between two groups was performed using t test orχ2 test depending on data type. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the influencing factors of severe self-perceived burden in elderly MHD patients, and Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was utilized to evaluate the correlation between self-perceived burden and self-care ability and quality of life in them. Results There were 178 patients assigned into severe burden group and 207 into non-severe burden group. Significant differences were observed between two groups in terms of socioeconomic status, daily living ability, and incidence of complications (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that low socioeconomic status (OR=2.646,95%CI 1.485-4.716), moderately dependent daily life ability (OR=3.408,95%CI 2.134-5.442) and complication (OR=2.380,95%CI 1.260-4.495) were risk factors of severe self-perceived burden in elderly MHD patients (P<0.05). Pearson correlation coefficient analysis revealed that in the elderly MHD patients, SPBS score was negatively correlated with ESCA score, and kidney-related score, general health-related score and total score of KDQOL-SFTM1.3 (r=-0.655, -0.836, -0.683, -0.734; P<0.05). Conclusion Elderly MHD patients with complications, poor daily life ability and low socioeconomic status are more likely to have strong self-perceived burden. Self-perceived burden of these patients is closely associated with their self-care ability and quality of life.