Acute Kidney Injury Secondary to Acute Urinary Retention in an 87-Year-Old Female with Prolonged Poor Oral Intake in Hospital National Guido Valadares, Timor Leste on May 2026: A Case Report

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common medical emergency in elderly patients and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Postrenal obstruction accounts for approximately 5–10% of AKI cases but is more common among older adults. We report the case of an 87-year-old woman who presented with a 10-day history of inability to eat and drink, progressive weakness, abdominal distension, and inability to pass urine. Examination revealed a markedly distended bladder consistent with acute urinary retention. Laboratory investigations demonstrated severe AKI and Urinary Tract infection (UTI). Prompt bladder catheterization drained a large volume of urine, resulting in rapid clinical improvement and gradual recovery of renal function. This case highlights the importance of considering urinary retention as a reversible cause of AKI in elderly women, where delayed diagnosis may lead to permanent renal damage.

Acute kidney injury, acute urinary retention, obstructive uropathy, elderly female, postrenal AKI, bladder outlet obstruction, dehydration; Timor-Leste; resource-limited setting

1. Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes. KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for Acute Kidney Injury. Kidney Int Suppl. 2012;2(1):1–138. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Guideline NG148. Acute kidney injury: prevention, detection and management. London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; 2019. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. European Association of Urology. EAU Guidelines on Non-neurogenic Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms. Arnhem: European Association of Urology; latest edition. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Fowler CJ, Griffiths D, de Groat WC. The neural control of micturition. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2008;9(6):453–466. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Resnick NM, Yalla SV. Management of urinary incontinence and urinary retention in the elderly. N Engl J Med. 1985;313: 800–805. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Levey AS, James MT. Acute kidney injury. Ann Intern Med. 2017;167(9): ITC66–ITC80. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Klahr S, Harris K, Purkerson ML. Effects of obstruction on renal functions. Pediatr Nephrol. 1988;2(1):34–42. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Rosner MH, Okusa MD. Acute kidney injury associated with urinary tract obstruction. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2019;14(11):166–175. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. World Health Organization. Noncommunicable diseases and health system challenges in low-resource settings. Geneva: WHO; latest available reports. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Timor-Leste Ministry of Health. Health Sector Strategic Plan and Hospital Service Reports (latest available editions). Dili: Government of Timor-Leste. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. 11.Rosner MH, Okusa MD. Acute kidney injury associated with urinary tract obstruction. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2019;14(11):166–175. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Enhancing Formation Control of Multi Agent Systems Using Ann Based Technique
• Improving Sliding Mode Control with Chattering Reduction using Fuzzy Based Technique
• Cooking Quality, Fasting Blood Glucose, Glycemic Index and Load of High–Fiber Noodles Made from Wheat, Tiger Nut Residue and Cassava Flour Blends
• Matrix Rhythm Therapy Versus Interferential Therapy Combined with Lumbar Stabilization Exercises in Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Comparative Trial
• Formulation and Sensory Evaluation of Functional Cake Prepared from Sweet Potato Powder