Association of respiratory integer and fractional-order models with structural abnormalities in silicosis

•We evaluated the associations of integer (InOr) and fractional-order (FrOr) models with anatomical changes in silicosis.•Clear associations were observed among respiratory models and anatomical changes, airway obstruction and lung volumes.•Our findings contributed to clarifying the physiological interpretation of the InOr and FrOr parameters.•FrOr parameters showed a high diagnostic accuracy in the detection of the respiratory changes in silicosis.•FrOr models may provide meaningful information to assess the pathological condition of patients with silicosis.