Is there a role for prednisolone over prednisone in rheumatic patients with hepatic impairment?

Yes. In general, prednisolone is preferred over prednisone in patients with significant liver disease as conversion of prednisone to its active form (prednisolone) may be impaired. The first citation below provides a great deal of information regarding the different steroid formulations.

As an aside, I have experienced variation in response to methylprednisolone vs prednisone even in patients without liver disease. Personally, I have seen this more commonly in my lupus patients, with improved res...