Comment on Schwartz et al. The Time Is Right for a New Classification System for Diabetes: Rationale and Implications of the β-Cell–Centric Classification Schema. Diabetes Care 2016;39:179–186

We appreciate the efforts by Schwartz et al. (1) to synthesize current scientific knowledge in a simple and lucid manner and hope that the following suggestions will help improve the utility of their proposed β-cell–centric classification. It is less important to “classify” diabetes than it is to ensure appropriate treatment for the person with diabetes. This can be planned using a bipolar construct of the insulin-to-glucagon ratio (IGR) rather than a unipolar β-cell–centric model. A high IGR indicates insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in a setting that can …