Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are a group of chronic autoimmune systemic diseases affecting the skeletal muscle and other organs. IIMs are also a complex group of diseases, in some cases, difficult to manage. Literature on IIMs has been growing fairly rapidly and keeping up-to-date on such a topic is of utmost importance for any rheumatologist who looks after IIM patients. Thus, the aim of this review is to summarise the most relevant literature contributions published over the last year on the pathogenesis, serology, diagnosis and treatment of IIMs.