Anuria and Oliguria

In anuria (synonyms: Deficiency of urinary secretion; Deficient urinary excretion; Oligo anuria; Oliguria; Decreased urinary secretion; Decreased urinary secretion; ICD-10-GM R34: Anuria and oliguria) is the lack of urine output (maximum 100 ml/24 h). Oliguria describes decreased urine output with a daily maximum of 500 ml.

Normally, urine output is between 500 and 3,000 ml (average: 1,500 ml) per day.

The following causes of anuria are distinguished:

  • Prerenal acute renal failure (ANV) – in this case the cause is anterior to the kidney; the most common form of ANV with up to 70%.
  • Renal ANV – here the cause is in the kidney itself (up to 20%).
  • Postrenal ANV – here the cause lies behind the kidney.

However, too little urine output can also be an indication of too little fluid intake, as is often seen in the elderly due to a decrease in thirst.

Anuria or oliguria can be a symptom of many diseases (see “Differential diagnoses”).

Course and prognosis: The decrease in urine output may be transient or persistent. Course and prognosis depend on the underlying disease.