OBJECTIVE The present study is a retrospective and prospective study of 24 cases of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies from Kashmir valley. The study was conducted to depict the clinical profile of polymyositis from this part of the world. METHODS The diagnosis of polymyositis/dermatomyositis was established by following the criteria of Bohan and Peter (1975). Besides relevant clinical examination, investigations like complete blood count, ESR, muscle enzymes, LE cell phenomenon, antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor were also done. Electrophysiological study and open muscle biopsy was performed in 21 and 24 cases respectively. RESULTS The mean age at presentation was 34 years with 62.5% cases presenting in fourth decade. Pelvic girdle weakness was observed in all the 24 cases. Male:Female ratio was 1:1.4. Four (16.8%) cases had associated collagen vascular disease. No case was associated with malignancy or childhood vasculitis. Raynauds' phenomenon was seen in seven (29.1%) cases. Creatine phosphokinase and lactic dehydrogenase was elevated in 22 (91.6%) and 12 (50%) cases respectively. Electromyography revealed myopathic features in 74.3% cases. Muscle biopsy revealed features of inflammatory myopathy in 22 (91%) cases. CONCLUSIONS The conclusions drawn from this study are as follows: a. Younger age at presentation b. Shorter duration of illness at presentation c. Increased frequency of Raynaud's phenomenon as compared to other Indian series. d. No case of polymyositis/dermatomyositis associated with malignancy or childhood vasculitis was seen. e. Biochemical, electrophysiological and histopathological features suggestive of shorter duration of illness were observed.